Scatto means "snapshot" in Italian, but also a jolt, a sudden leap forward.
That's what we stand for, shifting how impact is seen and shared. In a world where AI handles operations, we ensure visual storytelling stays human, providing authentic imagery that truly represents the incredible work being done by impact organizations worldwide.
Impact organizations do incredible work, but finding authentic imagery that truly represents their mission is challenging and expensive. Many are stuck with generic stock photos or costly shoots that stretch program budgets.
Scatto creates a sustainable model where photographers earn fair compensation while keeping authentic imagery accessible to organizations of all sizes, from grassroots nonprofits to global foundations and mission-driven companies.
As AI becomes the default, we believe real impact deserves real storytelling through human eyes. Authentic visuals drive more donations, better partnerships, and the trust that turns viewers into supporters.
I've always been passionate about photography as a medium to see reality through the photographer's eye. I value it immensely as a key way to show the stories behind the work organizations do, but I believe in ethical photography, one that respects the people, cultures, and realities we encounter.
After 7+ years working across the impact ecosystem, from international organizations to foundations, social ventures, and academia, I've witnessed how powerful visual storytelling can be. Currently at the Paris-based office of J-PAL, a MIT-affiliated impact evaluation center that aims to reduce poverty through evidence-informed policy, I've seen firsthand how the right image can amplify impact.
But I've also seen the harm that irresponsible photography can cause. I once met a friend in the refugee camp of Samos who had fled Iran after an international media outlet published his face during protest coverage, forcing him to leave his family behind without even saying goodbye. I've traveled with people who would photograph children in poverty and post them on social media, perhaps after distributing some toys, without considering the deeper implications.
These aren't isolated incidents, they represent a systemic problem in how impact work is documented.
These experiences, combined with years of struggling to find authentic, ethically-sourced imagery for my own work, led me to build Scatto. It's a solution to connect organizations doing meaningful change with photographers who understand both their mission and the responsibility that comes with capturing human stories.
I believe in a more ethical way to tell our stories and convey important truths. This is why I built Scatto, and why I'm inviting others to join this movement toward more respectful visual storytelling.
— Ottavia Brussino, Founder
Be part of building a new standard for ethical impact photography.
For people who believe in authentic storytelling.