The collection contains prints, negatives, transparencies, slides, and contact sheets that document Ford Foundation projects around the world as well as headshots of staff, executive officers, and trustees for the Ford Foundation's Office of Communications. Many photographs appear in annual reports and other Ford Foundation publications and promotional materials.

Collection contains records that the Ford Foundation Office of Reports created to plan and document various photograph exhibit projects. Exhibits were produced to promote the work of the Ford Foundation in broad program areas such as support for American theater and women in developing countries as well as the work of individual initiatives and artists.