Copied ✓
Part II — Visual Identity · Chapter 11
SDARM Brand Book · 2026
11
Photography
Documentary aesthetic. Real light. Real people. Spontaneous moments. SDARM photography tells stories — it does not build sets.
Part II · Ch. 11
8 sections
Ready-made AI prompts
In this chapter
11.1
Photographic aesthetic
Documentary · cinematic · human
11.2
Scene categories
Worship · family · fellowship · mission
11.3
Official color grading
Treatment palette and simulator
11.4
Dress and appearance
Guidelines on modesty and naturalness
11.5
Photographic composition
Light · framing · depth
11.6
AI photography
An art direction framework for prompts
11.7
Correct and incorrect use
Visual examples and clear rules
11.8
Prompt library
Ready-made prompts by scene category
11.1 — Photographic aesthetic

Documentary · cinematic
and profoundly human

SDARM photography is not produced to look perfect. It is produced to look true. That means real ambient light, spontaneous people, moments that would exist even without the camera.

Main photo
Worship · family in fellowship · Sabbath scene
Insert photo
Supporting photo 1
Bible study · prayer · reception
Insert photo
Supporting photo 2
Child · young person · service
Insert photo

The aesthetic reference for SDARM photographic work sits closer to contemporary photo-documentary than to stock photography. Think of Martin Schoeller without the extreme close-up, of Sebastião Salgado without the excess drama, of Steve McCurry without the orientalism.

What interests us: the light coming through the window of the worship hall on Sabbath morning. The conversation after the service. The child asleep in her mother's lap during prayer. The elder helping a young person find the passage in Scripture. These moments exist — the camera merely records them with care.

SDARM photography IS
Documentary — it records what exists, not what was staged
Cinematic — careful composition, but never theatrical
Human — real people in genuine moments
Warm — amber light, natural skin, earth tones
Shallow in depth of field — focus on what matters
Lightly grained — the texture of a real camera
Culturally diverse — faces from every country of the Church
SDARM photography is not
Stock — artificial poses, forced smiles
Spectacular — show lighting, smoke machines, stage effects
Oversaturated — vivid social media filters
Performative — staged raised hands, weeping for the stage
Inconsistent with the standards of the Church — jewelry, makeup, low necklines
Excessively retouched — plastic skin, altered eyes
Triumphalist — power poses, exaggerated expressions
Section 11.1 · Photographic aesthetic
"Cinematic photo of a photographer with a camera observing a quiet church interior, warm amber light through tall windows, wooden pews, modest clothing, documentary style, film grain, low saturation, no text, 16:9"
11.2 — Scene categories

The moments
the camera must find

Eight scene categories covering the whole life of the Church — from formal worship to the Sabbath lunch table. Each one has its own light, composition and tone.

Worship
Sabbath · preaching · corporate worship
Family
Home · prayer · Bible study
Fellowship
Potluck · table · after worship
Mission
Evangelism · canvassing · service
Study
Sabbath School · Bible · prayer
Youth
Camp · Pathfinders · group
Health
Wellbeing · food · nature
Reception
Arrival · welcome · first contact
Light
Natural ambient light from the window. Soft amber at 9 a.m. Moderate contrast.
Composition
Rule of thirds. People in natural positions. Shallow depth of field.
Emotional tone
Serene reverence. Shared concentration. Belonging.
What to avoid in this scene
Staged raised hands. Visible flash. Low camera angles. Exaggerated expressions.
Worship · Sabbath
Congregation in prayer · morning light
Insert photo
Potluck
Shared table · food · conversation
Insert photo
Family at home
Family Bible study · home · Sabbath
Insert photo
Section 11.2 · Scene categories
"Documentary scene of a photographer reviewing printed photographs of church community life on a wooden table, warm lamp light, modest long sleeves, film grain, low saturation, no legible text, 4:3"
11.3 — Official color grading

Treatment palette
and color references

Color grading unifies the aesthetic of photographs made in different countries by different photographers. It does not alter the content — it defines how light and color are interpreted.

Color grading palette — dominant tones
Shadows
Midtones
Skin
Highlights
Warm shadows — never cool or bluish Amber highlights — never blown out or blue
Exposure and contrast
Exposure+0.2 to +0.4
Contrast−10 to −20
Shadows+15 to +25
Highlights−20 to −30
Whites−10 to −15
Blacks+5 to +10
Color and temperature
Temperature5400–5800K
Tint+3 to +8 (magenta)
Saturation−15 to −25
Vibrance−5 to −10
Shadows (hue)Earth amber
Highlights (hue)Light amber
Texture and grain
Texture+10 to +20
Clarity0 to +5
Dehaze0 to +5
Grain (amount)20–35
Grain (size)25–40
Vignette−10 to −20
Lightroom / Capture One presets
The parameters above form the basis of the official SDARM preset available in the Brand Hub. When applying the preset, always adjust exposure photograph by photograph — the preset sets the direction of the color, not the right exposure for each image. The preset is a starting point, not an automatic solution.
11.4 — Dress and appearance

Guidelines on modesty
and naturalness

The dress guidelines apply to any image produced by the SDARM — real photography, stock images, AI-generated images, illustrations or any other visual representation of people.

Approved standard
Women in a skirt or dress below the knee
Blouses covering the arms completely (long sleeves)
Natural appearance — no visible makeup
No earrings, necklaces, bracelets or visible jewelry
Simple, elegant, discreet clothing — worn with dignity
Natural hair — simple, tidy styles
Men in trousers and shirt — well presented and discreet
Children in clothing appropriate to the liturgical setting
Never show
Low necklines — any opening across the chest
Short sleeves on women — bare arms
Trousers on women in a formal worship setting
Earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets in any context
Visible makeup — lipstick, eyeshadow, evident foundation
Tight or transparent clothing
Visible tattoos
Piercings anywhere on the body
Application to AI-generated images
These guidelines apply in full to AI-generated images. Any image generation prompt must include explicit descriptions of modest dress, the absence of jewelry and makeup, and long sleeves for women. Images generated without these parameters are not approved for use — whatever their other visual qualities.
11.5 — Photographic composition

Light · framing
and depth of field

Composition is where intention meets technique. Every decision — where the camera stands, how the light falls, how much is in focus — determines whether the photograph tells a story or merely documents a scene.

Light
Natural ambient light
Windows, open doors, street light. Always the first choice. No flash — flash flattens faces and destroys the atmosphere.
Discreet amber light
Lamps, candles (where they belong to the setting), warm ceiling light. Never colored stage lights or show lighting.
Shadows with volume
Soft, deep shadows give form and depth. Avoid full frontal lighting, which strips the face of all volume.
Golden hour where possible
For outdoor photographs — events, camps, mission. The light between 7–9 a.m. or 4–6 p.m. is incomparable.
Framing and camera
Eye level — the standard
A camera at the eye level of the person photographed creates equality and respect. Low angles create artificial drama.
Rule of thirds
The main element should sit on one of the thirds of the composition — never rigidly centered. Negative space breathes.
Shallow depth of field
f/1.4–f/2.8. A defocused background isolates the subject and produces the characteristic cinematic feel. Avoid f/8+ in portraits.
Decisive moment
Photograph the instant before or after the peak of the action — the conversation, the gesture, the glance — never the pose for the camera.
Natural light · window
An example of correct ambient light
Insert photo
Depth of field
Focus on the face · background defocused
Insert photo
Decisive moment
Spontaneous gesture · no pose
Insert photo
Section 11.5 · Photographic composition
"Over-the-shoulder shot of a photographer framing a Sabbath congregation with natural side light, shallow depth of field, modest dress, film grain, low saturation, no text, 4:5"
11.6 — AI photography

An art direction framework
for image generation

Before generating any image with AI, the art director must answer 10 questions. The process ensures that the generated image is consistent with the aesthetic, the standards and the values of the SDARM.

The 10 questions before generating
1
What is the message?
What this image communicates — not what it depicts.
2
What is the emotion?
Serene, welcoming, reverent, contemplative, communal?
3
What is the scene?
Worship, family, potluck, mission, study?
4
Who appears?
Age, gender, number of people, diversity?
5
Where does it happen?
Church interior, home, outdoors, table?
6
What is the light?
Natural side light, warm amber, golden hour, diffused?
7
What is the composition?
Shot, angle, depth of field, framing?
8
What must be avoided?
Jewelry, makeup, stage poses, excessive saturation?
9
Dress?
Long sleeves, long skirt, modest, no accessories?
10
How does it fit the system?
Which format, section and context does this image serve?
11.7 — Correct and incorrect use

Visual examples
and clear rules

Each slot below stands for a pair of uses — correct and incorrect — with space to insert real or AI-generated images as a reference for the team.

Pair 01 — Light and setting
Correct
Photograph in natural light
Side window · warm amber · no flash
Insert correct example
Natural side light · amber temperature · shadows with volume
A sense of real presence · not produced
Forbidden
Photograph with stage lighting
Frontal flash · colored lights · show
Insert incorrect example
Stage lighting · frontal flash · excess saturation
Contradicts the serene tone of the brand
Pair 02 — Dress
Correct
Modest dress
Long skirt · long sleeves · no jewelry
Insert correct example
Long skirt · long sleeves · natural appearance
Modesty with dignity and elegance
Forbidden
Inappropriate dress
Earrings · makeup · exposed arms
Insert incorrect example
Visible jewelry · makeup · bare arms
Contradicts the standards of the Church
11.8 — Prompt library

Ready-made prompts
by scene category

Complete prompts for AI image generation — ready to copy and use. Each prompt already carries the aesthetic, dress, light and composition parameters of the SDARM system.

Sabbath worship · church interior
Documentary-style photograph of a Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement church service on Saturday morning. Interior of a simple, modest church hall with wooden benches. Natural light streaming through side windows creating warm amber tones. A congregation of diverse adults — African, Brazilian, European descent — sitting reverently, reading Bibles. Women wearing long skirts and long-sleeve blouses, no jewelry or makeup visible. Men in dress shirts and pants. Shallow depth of field, f/2.0. Soft shadows. Film grain texture. Low saturation. Cinematic color grading with warm shadows. No flash, no stage lights, no performative gestures. Shot at eye level. Nikon D850, 85mm lens. --ar 4:5
WorshipInterior4:5Natural light
Family · Bible study at home
Intimate documentary photograph of a multi-generational family doing Bible study at home on Saturday afternoon. A living room with warm afternoon light. Father, mother and two children gathered around a table with open Bibles. Woman wearing long skirt and long-sleeve blouse, hair naturally arranged, no jewelry, no makeup. Man in neat dress shirt. Children in modest, age-appropriate clothing. Warm amber lamp light mixed with natural window light. Shallow depth of field. Soft bokeh background showing simple home interior. Film grain. Muted, warm color palette. Candid moment — nobody looking at camera. Shot at child's eye level. --ar 3:4
FamilyHome3:4Warm light
Potluck · fellowship after worship
Documentary-style photograph of a potluck lunch after Sabbath church service. Long outdoor table under trees, filled with simple vegetarian dishes. Diverse community — adults, elderly, children — serving food and talking. Women in long skirts and long-sleeve blouses, hair neat, no jewelry or makeup. Men in dress shirts. Joyful but calm atmosphere. Natural daylight, soft overhead tree shade creating dappled light. Wide shot showing the communal table and several people. Low saturation, warm tones. Slight film grain. No performative expressions. Spontaneous interaction. Shot from slight elevation, medium angle. --ar 16:9
FellowshipPotluck16:9Outdoors
Mission · door-to-door evangelism
Documentary photograph of two Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement members doing door-to-door literature ministry in an urban neighborhood. Young man and woman standing at a door, offering a religious pamphlet to an elderly resident. Woman wearing long modest skirt and long-sleeve blouse, no jewelry or makeup. Man in neat dress shirt with tie. Golden hour light — late afternoon sun creating warm long shadows. Candid, unposed moment. Shallow depth of field with neighborhood street in soft bokeh background. Film grain, cinematic color grading with amber tones. Respectful, non-intrusive energy. Shot at street level. --ar 4:5
MissionCanvassing4:5Golden hour
Youth · outdoor camp
Documentary photograph of Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement youth at an outdoor camp. Teenagers and young adults gathered around a morning Bible study circle in a forested setting. Young women wearing modest long skirts and long-sleeve blouses. Young men in casual but neat clothing. Morning light filtering through trees, soft diffused sunlight. No jewelry, no makeup on women. Calm, focused expressions — genuine engagement, not performance. Medium shot, slightly elevated angle. Shallow depth of field. Film grain texture. Warm but slightly cooler outdoor color palette. Quiet and reverent atmosphere. --ar 1:1
YouthOutdoors1:1Morning
One honest photograph
is worth more than a thousand produced images.
The camera as witness
The best SDARM photograph will not be the most technical. It will be the one where the photographer stayed long enough to be forgotten — and caught the moment as it actually happened.
AI with intention
AI-generated images are not shortcuts — they are tools. Used with the right parameters, and with the 10 questions answered, they produce images consistent with the identity of the Church.
Dress as message
The way a person is dressed in a photograph is a theological statement. Every image the SDARM publishes either affirms or contradicts the principles the Church teaches. There is no neutral position.
Brand Manager's Note
"Photography is the most emotional visual element of the brand. It is what makes a person stop while scrolling the feed. But a technically perfect photograph of a woman wearing earrings does damage that no technical quality can make up for. The principles of modesty are not optional — they are part of the identity."
Hugo Cibalde
Brand Manager
Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement
General Conference · 2026
← Ch. 10 — Grid & Composition
Next chapter
12 — Iconography →
SDARM Brand Book · Ch. 11 · Part II — Visual Identity · 2026