A Door of Hope
Capturing the Essence of Your Nonprofit: A Guide to Creating Impactful Videos.
The Brief
When it came time to plan their annual fundraising banquet, pregnancy center A Door of Hope had a bold vision. They wanted a video that could introduce their donors to one of the women whose life changed through their generosity–someone who truly captures the heart of A Door of Hope’s mission. I was excited to team up with A Door of Hope and share the story of Lily, a new mom who changed her mind after taking an abortion pill and chose life instead!
The Process
In each video I create, I help position my subjects as the heroes of their own stories. With Lily, this was easy to do! She’s an amazing woman with an incredible story to tell. My only job was using my nonprofit storytelling skills to help her feel empowered to share her story on camera.
Creating a comfortable environment was essential to capturing Lily's authentic essence on camera.
Just like real estate, location is a key factor in nonprofit videography. My first choice is to shoot videos in my subject’s home, which often helps them feel more comfortable and adds a personal touch to the video. But when that option wasn’t available for Lily, we transformed a small conference room at A Door of Hope into a dining room, complete with warm lighting and thoughtful details. The location didn’t distract from Lily’s story. Even better, it helped her relax and set the stage for our conversation.
Being on camera doesn’t come naturally to most of us–me included! The lights, the lenses, and the teleprompters can make anyone freeze. As an expert in nonprofit videography, I know that people like Lily can tell us the stories we need to hear. That’s why I want the video process to feel as natural as possible. I prefer one-on-one interviews to teleprompters or scripts. Many times, this conversational style uncovers hidden gems that stick with your donors forever. Lily and I spent the first few minutes of our shoot making small talk. By the time the cameras started rolling, her beautiful personality and excitement to be a mom were shining through–guaranteeing that donors would not only hear about the difference they made, but actually see it written all over her face!
Once our interview was over, we spent time recreating scenes of Lily’s first visit to A Door of Hope to show donors the kind of care their support provides. I tied Lily’s footage together with B-roll, music, and a clear call to action, making one complete story for A Door of Hope donors to enjoy.
“We love these videos! I think when people donate, they will be thinking of Lily’s pretty face. That has a huge impact.”
The Result
When Lily’s video premiered at A Door of Hope’s banquet, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. 300 donors witnessed the difference they made in one person’s life in a way they’d never experienced before. They responded by giving $80,000 to continue supporting moms like Lily, which was a 10% increase from A Door of Hope’s previous banquet! By investing in this video, A Door of Hope has a piece that can inspire their donors for years to come.
Let’s Inspire Your Donors Together!
One of the best ways to capture the heart of your nonprofit is to let those you serve speak for themselves. The power of a good video is that it not only tells the story, but it shows the difference your donors make. A nonprofit video can elevate your website, email campaign, or fundraising event and help donors connect with your mission in a new way.
If you’re seeking an experienced videographer in the Greater Philadelphia area, I’d love to see what we can make together.