Trunk-or-Treat has become one of the most popular community events of the fall season for many United Methodist churches. Families come for the candy and decoration but they often leave with warm memories of a welcoming congregation. With so many smiling faces and creative displays, these events offer great opportunities to tell your church’s story through photos and videos.
However, because Trunk-or-Treat events involve children, it is important to handle media carefully and respectfully. With a little planning, churches can both protect families and celebrate the joy of community.
Capture the moment with intention
Assign one or two people to serve as event photographers or videographers, and meet with them beforehand to prepare items such as a shot list. Encourage them to focus on capturing the spirit. Wide-angle shots of decorated trunks, volunteers serving candy or groups enjoying games help convey the fun without focusing too closely on any one individual or family. If your church has participants who are comfortable being photographed, invite them to sign a simple photo release form during event registration. Be clear that images may be used for church communication such as newsletters, websites or social media.
Store media safely
After the event, gather all photos and videos in one secure digital location. Cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Dropbox make it easy to organize and share files with staff or volunteers. Label folders by year and event name so they are easy to find in future seasons.
Always review photos before posting or sharing. Delete any images that include children whose parents did not give consent or that show personal details such as name tags, license plates or school logos.
Repurpose for outreach and storytelling
Trunk-or-Treat images can do more than capture memories. They can become tools for invitation and connection throughout the year. Consider using photos to:
- Create a short slideshow for worship or your church’s website
- Post a “thank you” message to volunteers and community partners
- Feature a “look back” social media post to promote next year’s event
- Add visuals to printed materials that highlight your church’s community engagement
When sharing online, keep captions focused on community and mission rather than individuals. For example, write “We are grateful for all who made Trunk-or-Treat a joyful evening for our neighbors” instead of naming or tagging participants.
Respect privacy and offer clear notices
Transparency builds trust. Post signs at your event entrances stating that photos and videos may be taken by church representatives and could be used in church communications. The notice can read something like:
“Photos and videos may be taken during this event for church communications. If you prefer not to be included, please speak with a volunteer.”
If your church uses registration forms, include a simple checkbox asking whether families consent to photo use. This small step demonstrates care for participants and helps prevent misunderstandings.
Click here for additional information on release statements.
Tell your story with care
Trunk-or-Treat is about more than candy and costumes. It is an opportunity to reflect the love of Christ through hospitality and joy. By thoughtfully capturing and sharing these moments, your church can extend that joy to the broader community while honoring the trust families place in you.
Good communication begins with respect, and when churches balance creativity with care they create stories worth sharing again and again.
With over 20 years of experience across various media outlets, Renee McNeill has guided brands in crafting and executing effective strategies for both internal marketing and public-facing campaigns. As a specialist in social media and e-marketing, Renee is passionate about empowering churches worldwide to enhance their communications and marketing efforts. Renee is the producer of the MyCom brand and can be reached at [email protected].