What is the Database?

For years, Lenspiration students have been photographing for specific photo needs of many Christian ministries & organizations through the monthly Shoot to Serve Photo Assignments. Whether it is something homeschool-related, a nature scene, a precise concept, or a difficult subject to find on a stock website, if a publisher needs a photo, we use it as a learning opportunity to photograph for them!

Initially, assignment submissions could only be used by the publisher we were photographing for. Now, when students submit photos for the Shoot to Serve Photo Database, they have the opportunity to "shoot to serve" for any Lenspiration-approved organization that has download access to this photographic treasure trove. It is a truly practical way for students to practice their photography while being a blessing to others at the same time!

View Database

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How it Works

Lenspiration assesses the photo needs of various Christian ministries & organizations and runs photo assignments based on those needs.
Students practice their photography by photographing and submitting photos for the assignments.
Submissions are added to the Shoot to Serve Photo Database.
Download access to the database is given only to a select group of publishers.

Option #2

Request Custom Images

Submit Your Request

Do you need a custom photo for a project? Are there different photos you're having trouble finding on a stock website? Better yet, do you want to encourage young, budding, homeschool photographers by using their photos instead of a stock photo? However specific or generic your request may be, start with filling us in on all the details through our photo request form!

We Shoot For you

Once we've worked out the details of your request behind the scenes, we'll give our student photographers a month to photograph for you. Located literally all over the world and with a variety of skill levels, our photographers are putting what they're learning on Lenspiration about photography into practice by shooting for people like you.

Your Role

You Get the Photos

At the end of the allotted time, we'll send you a link to view the photo submissions that have come in throughout the month. You pick a winning photo (or several!), and we announce the winner on our monthly, live photo coaching webinars. We'll send you the high-resolution photo(s) and you're good to go!

Ready to Submit a Request?

Your Role in Requesting an Image

Have something to give to the photographer?

When we shoot for you, you're giving our photographers a valuable opportunity to grow and expand their photography skills. At the same time, they are investing time and effort in photographing custom requests for you. It takes time to scout locations, find models to pose for photos, set up shots, or photograph, organize, edit, and submit photos.

So with this in mind, is there some type of prize or thank you gift that you could give to winning photographers?

Some ideas include:

A small cash prize for each chosen photo
A coupon to your online store
A product donation

Suggested value/winning photographer*: ~$25

*Photographer must be a Lenspiration Member to qualify for an assignment prize.

Want to share with your circles?

Though the assignments are designed for the Lenspiration student photographers, it doesn't mean other photographers can't participate if they want to!

When your photo request launches as one of our monthly Shoot to Serve assignments, we'll send you a social post you can share with your audience, to get even more participation!

Here's an example of a social media post:

Square - Photo Assignments (Nature Friend)

Assignment Calendar

Our students shoot one assignment per month, so check the calendar below to find an available slot when we can shoot for you! Requests must be made at least one month in advance.

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