Finding the moments.
Telling the stories.

Ours is an incredible instrument that records moments.
With it, we tell stories… ours, of others, and of what God is doing in our midst.
It is important that we tell the stories that need to be told, the way they should be told.
This is why we treat stories and their people with the utmost respect, tact, and empathy.

PCO and ChurchCenter.

Step one begins here.

If you haven't, download both apps:
- “Services” (where you get rostered. Also known as PCO, “Planning Center Online”)
- “Church Center” (where you will see upcoming events and can register for them, join Connect Groups, and be part of our Photo Team group).

To get rostered, talk to your lead about your interest and availability. Let them know of any skill you'd like to learn or sharpen.

Once rostered, you can accept the request on PCO (Services app)
Make note of your Call Time and plan to be there promptly in order to honor everyone's time.

If you happen to get rostered and cannot fulfill the request, talk to your team lead and Decline on PCO. It is important to RSVP yes or no to any kind of event, in order for team and church to plan accordingly.

 
 

A few notes about
photographing.

 

  • Our ultimate goal is that the images we take point people to Jesus.

  • We are here to capture what God is doing in our church and in our city.

  • Always photograph others as you'd like to be photographed, and delete anything that isn't honoring.

  • Whenever possible, let's engage with the people we are photographing. We are a church first and foremost, so people will always come before camera or shot. Get to know people's stories beyond the photo.

  • If we get asked not to shoot, we honor that. And if we have taken previous shots, we delete them and assure the person of our changes.

  • Always walk around and shoot from different angles. Drop the camera here and there while you walk, pray, and take in what is happening in the room. It is then that you will know when to shoot.

  • Always look to where no one is looking. Find the stories that no one is noticing. Go behind the scenes (BTS) and document what catches your attention. Always follow where the Holy Spirit takes you.
    Usually the best stories are found off the platform.

  • Preferably, wear All Black or at least dark colors in order to move around without distracting others.

  • Overshooting is okay if it helps you feel safe about capturing good moments (knowing that you’ll be the one culling afterwards).

  • We don't photograph anyone under 18 years old without a written consent and image release.

  • Get comfortable with your gear, experiment, and learn as much as you can. As a team, we always maintain a growth perspective where any situation can have something to teach us and room for creativity. The more we learn technically, the more we do creatively.

  • “Can I post?” - We are not here to make rockstars out of ourselves, but we are here to talk about Jesus. Posting is encouraged, especially after church has used the images (unless otherwise told by your lead).
    Let's have in mind our intention while posting and let's use it for good:
    to encourage others, to give testimony, to glorify the name of Jesus.

  • Below, you will find some suggestions for a quick setup depending on each Location (not a hard-line rule by any means). Get comfortable with the gear, experiment and learn as much as you can.

LOCATIONS

  • Address.
    427 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042

    If closed, Text your lead or the group chat of the day for someone to come and get you outside.
    If open, enter through the main glass doors and unto the lobby through the next set of wood doors.
    The auditorium is further in (and might have doors closed to keep the noise in.
    Ask someone around how to enter if doors are closed.

    Gear.
    - Camera body (Mirrorless or DSLR)
    - 50mm for portraits and tighter shots
    - 24-28mm for room shots

    Camera Settings Recommendations.
    - Aperture variable
    - Shutter Speed 1/400-1/640
    - ISO 400-640
    - Silent Mode ON (when recording)
    - Back-button Focus (optional)

  • Address.
    363 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

    Text your lead or the group chat of the day for someone to come downstairs to get you.
    Take the elevator to Floor 2 (team member will help with keycard).
    When in Floor 2, turn left and go straight all the way. The entrance of the recording Studio will be to your right.

    Masks are not required for vaccinated individuals.

    Gear.
    - Mirrorless camera body (needed for sound not to interfere with microphones)
    - 50mm (recommended)

    Camera Settings Recommendations.
    - Aperture variable
    - Shutter Speed 1/400-1/640
    - ISO 400-640
    - Silent Mode ON (when recording)
    - Back-button Focus (optional)

  • Address.
    Will be determined according to whatever the event is or whatever is being shot.

    Make sure you are connected to other team members involved through a text thread.

    Gear.
    - Camera body (Mirrorless or DSLR)
    - 50-85mm for portraits and tighter shots
    - 24-28mm for wider shots

    Camera Setting Recommendations.
    - Varies according to scenario. If you need help, text the group Team thread or someone in Photo Team directly for guidance/assistance.

 
 

After-Shooting Kit.


Editing.

  • Use the LR_HillsongEC Catalog

  • Import photos using the correct Import Preset (with your city's metadata information).

  • Make sure RAW filenames are edited to:
    (date)YYYYMMDD_filename.dng
    (ending is whatever the Raw termination of your camera is: .nef, .cr2, .raf, .raw, .arw, .dcr, .orf, .rw2, .pef, etc)

  • Use the HillsongNYC (Color) Preset + adjust the skin tone (white balance) and exposure (darkness/lightness) of the photos that need it.

  • Export with Hillsong NYC Social Preset

  • Make sure Exported Filenames are edited to: (date)YYYYMMDD_filename.jpg


Lightroom Catalog:

Download LR Catalog


Uploading.

  • BOX:

    1. Make sure every FILE is renamed like this: (date)YYYYMMDD_OriginalFileName.
    2. Make sure everything is put together in one FOLDER named: YYYYMMDD_KeyWord
    3. Inside the folder, separate Raw Files (Raws) and Exported Jpgs (OUTPUT) in 2 different folders.
    4. Click on your campus to be redirected to the corresponding Box Team Drops link.

    - If you don’t have access to Box, ask your editor/lead about it.
    - If you already have Box access, upload all your RAW images and your edited exported images into this folder:
    https://hillsong.box.com/s/3c6ykmlb4mk6eimd64ut48ix5d18v40j

NYC
NJ
CT
BOS


  • FLURO:

    - If you don’t have Fluro access, let your editor/lead know you have already uploaded to Box.
    - If you have access to Fluro, upload with the corresponding tags (click here for reference sheet)