Donation presentations and ceremonial cheque photographs

The ceremonial cheque is one of the most recognisable photographs in charity events. A group stands on a stage, holding a large board between them. It is a polite way to say thank you. It is also an easy way to suggest more than happened.

This page belongs to our guide to fundraising and NGO-event photography. If the presentation takes place during a dinner, see charity gala and fundraising-dinner photography.

What is the photograph actually of?

Be clear on this before the day. A presentation can be:

• A completed donation, where funds have already been received and recorded.
• A pledge, where a donor has said they will give.
• A symbolic gesture, where the amount is shown for the occasion and the payment is handled separately.

The photograph looks the same in every case. The caption makes the difference. Our page on photographs of pledges rather than completed donations goes further into how to word this honestly.

Who should be in the photograph?

Include only people who took part in the presentation: the donor's representatives and the people receiving on behalf of the organisation. A guest of honour may join if they presented the board. Adding extra people for goodwill makes a crowded frame and a confusing caption.

Collect names and titles in advance, with spelling checked. Our guide on providing accurate names and roles for important event participants lists what to prepare, and the event photograph caption worksheet helps you keep it organised.

What goes on the board or cheque?

Check the following before printing:

1. The names of both organisations, spelled correctly.
2. The date, if it appears.
3. The amount, if it appears, and whether both sides agree to show it.
4. Any logos, in the correct version.

An error on a printed board cannot be corrected in a photograph without changing what the image shows. Our guide to agreeing what retouching can and cannot change explains why.

Planning the shot

A presentation usually lasts a few seconds. The photographer needs a marked spot, a clear time and a short run-through. For example, imagine a company giving a symbolic donation at a charity dinner. The host calls the representatives to the stage. They hold the board, face the audience, then turn to the photographer for a second frame. The sequence takes less than a minute. The photographer positions themselves in advance, checks the light, and takes several frames so that eyes are open and the board is straight.

Tell us if there is a rule about where cameras may stand, and whether the venue's lighting changes during the presentation. Our group photograph planner is useful for arranging positions.

Accuracy in captions

A good caption states what happened. For example: "Representatives of [company] present a symbolic donation to [organisation] at the annual dinner." Avoid language such as "raised" or "donated" unless your records confirm it. Our guide on accurate captions, credits and event context lists what to include.

Sensitive situations

Not every presentation should be photographed in the usual way. Consider a donation given in memory of someone, a gift made privately or a grant from an agency with its own publicity rules. Ask the donor whether they would like a photograph at all, and do not assume. If the presentation is part of a corporate opening or milestone, our page on commercial openings and milestones gives the wider view.

What we confirm in writing

The quotation states when we will be at the presentation, the delivery timeline and who approves the image. We also write down the caption wording you give us, so the photograph is described the way you intend.

Questions to ask before the day

• Is the amount confirmed, pledged or purely symbolic?
• Will the donor attend in person, or will someone represent them?
• Is there a second frame ready if the first has an error?
• Who approves the photograph before it goes to the donor?