Telling Better Stories

Matt & Joe in teaching mode. [Andrew Shepherd]

Who doesn’t love a good story? Stories are all about communicating what we love, what’s important to us, our values and hopes. In June, A Rocha was fortunate to host international professional story tellers from On Field Media Project  passionate about sharing their knowledge and skills to assist other not-for-profits to tell their stories primarily by taking better photographs.

We were delighted to host Matt Brandon and Joe Tobiason from Onfield Media Project (OFMP), and with support from World Wildlife Fund (WWF), hosted OFMP weekend training workshops in Kaitaia and Raglan. The training weekends attracted 25 participants from 8 different non-profit environmental organisations with participants from as far afield as Northland and Wellington. So, while improving everybody’s photography skills, it was also a great opportunity for networking and brainstorming.

Coinciding with the visit of OFMP, photography students and faculty from John Brown University in Arkansas, USA, spent six weeks based in Whaingaroa/Raglan. They took thousands of photos, learned to fly a drone, and collaborated with A Rocha on designing promotional signs, brochures, videos and revamping the Karioi project website. A big thanks to JBU faculty and students for your input!

Matt Brandon and Joe Tobiason from OFMP in action – getting Karioi Panorama shots. [Andrew Shepherd & Matt Brandon]