The 307 schools funded by the Ohio Venture Capital program were the focus of a study on teacher empowerment. This paper focuses on the method used to maximize survey responses, rather than on the study findings. Data were sought from the building principals and 10,544 classroom teachers to create a "total picture" of the individual school at a particular "point in time" in the school restructuring process. The metaphor, "a snapshot in time," was used to collect the data. A limited edition print of a painting of an early Ohio school was used as an incentive for schools that returned a total picture. An original painting for the teachers' lounge was promised to the school with the highest return rate. The return rate was calculated for each school as responses were received, and statistical techniques were used to determine the representativeness of the sample schools and responding teachers. Initial responses that met the "snapshot" criteria were received from 104 schools, of which 56 had 100% participation. The overall building return rate was 59.6% and the teacher return rate was 38.8%. The metaphor created an eye-catching and memorable survey that was apparently well received by respondents. An appendix presents the survey cover letter. (Contains 1 table and 17 references.) (SLD)