Teamwork, Cooperation, and a Whole Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Humanity has survived because of teamwork and cooperation. Teamwork results in the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, and teamwork makes us each a better individual as well. Altruism creates a better society because it fosters teamwork. The most respected companies and corporations are ones that have cultivated a culture of teamwork, and the corporate consultants that business relies on to raise efficiency levels create programs, seminars and training sessions to develop a team mentality.

Team Spirit and the Promotion of Teamwork

The expensive sports programs in our schools stress character development, discipline and most importantly, teamwork. Team spirit is promoted with cheerleaders, pep rallies and mascots. The most admired athletes are the ones who put their team ahead of their own welfare, whether it is baseball, football, soccer, hockey or basketball. We have an entire culture devoted to idolization and promotion of teamwork.

Collaboration, Communication and Connection

Collaboration has been the cornerstone of all of mankind’s great works, from the Egyptian Pyramids to the great cathedrals of Europe to the Great Wall of China. With out cooperation, without combined effort, human would never have even reached the dark ages. Now, with the incredible advances in communication and connection, with the Internet facilitating confederation through out the world, well, the sky truly is not the limit. Indeed, there may ultimately be no limits!

Alliance, Coalition and Combined Effort

With the incredible importance of alliance, of assistance, of coalition, of combined effort…of working together, then it is little wonder how great the demand is for visual imagery representing teamwork. From business to government to education, in the public sector and the private sector, the need for better cooperation and teamwork is evident. And the companies, corporations and organizations that offer products and services to increase that level of teamwork need those images to better get their message across and serve their clients.

Stock Photos Showing Teamwork in New and Different Ways

The need is especially great for stock photos that rise above the level of noise that were are all subjected to constantly. Images that show teamwork in new and different ways, that use drama or humor to grab a viewer’s attention, images that show people pulling together, creating harmony through joint effort and teaming together, building synergy and union, those are the images that are needed in the marketplace. Photographs that work well for this purpose include sports images such as photos of flying trapeze, tandem cycling and, of course team sports.

Cooperation, Communication and Symbolic Images

Teamwork can be demonstrated by an image of children playing tug-o-war, or by social activities such as dance. Dance is a particularly good metaphor because it requires not only close cooperation, but self-discipline and non-verbal communication as well. A great example of dancing that requires close teamwork is tango dancing. There are many examples of potential images, but the trick is to show these familiar symbolic images in new, different and meaningful ways. A great example of this can be seen in a photo of the team sport of sculling. Sculling is invariably seen undertaken on placed and serene waters. Put that boat into the rough seas of an ocean, perhaps with a tidal wave about to overtake the craft, and the image transforms from a familiar icon to a compelling and powerful message.

Symbolizing What is With What Isn’t

Sometimes the most effective way to illustrate teamwork is with photos that show a lack of teamwork. Showing a lack of teamwork can still hit home the importance of teamwork, and can often utilize humor to effectively make that point in a compelling and memorable manner. An example of such a photo can be seen in a tandem bicycle image in which the riders are facing in opposite directions, or in a handshake that is a parody of one that demonstrates true cooperation.

Teamwork Photos That Compel, Educate and lead Our Society Forward

As photographers our part of teamwork is in creating exciting and breakthrough images, photos that educate and compel, illustrations that lead our society forward and that truly serve the needs of our clients in their efforts to further not just their business, political and or personal objectives, but also help to build harmony among all members of our