Photographs - Ten Tips For Getting Good Shots

Photographs are essential for getting good publicity in the print media, especially magazines, newspapers, internal newsletters and even websites. Taking effective photographs often requires patience and practice but is a valuable skill to acquire.

A newsworthy or unusual photograph can really add to a story and enhance your message. Often a story may be run purely because it has a great photograph or a front page photograph will have it's accompanying story a few pages back.

Good media relations practitioners should always be on the lookout for good photographs. When planning a media event, always keep in mind options for good photo opportunities.

This is especially true for television, where moving visual pictures are essential for the story.

Digital cameras and editing software made taking and distributing photographs a lot cheaper and easier.

Whether you are taking photographs yourself or employing a professional photographer, keep these tips in mind to make your visual images more effective when trying to communicate your message.

1. THE SET-UP.

Avoid busy, cluttered backgrounds that may detract from your subject. Remember that people often scan newspapers, sometimes whilst preparing for work or commuting. Make your picture interesting without being too cluttered, showcase your subject in the picture.

2. THE PEOPLE FACTOR.

Don't photograph subjects head on. Shots taken from a slight side angle are more natural. Research has shown people like to look at other people, try to include a person in all your pictures where appropriate.

3. KEEP IT NATURAL.

Candid shots of subjects are better than posed "mug shots".

4. FRAME IT.

Too much space around a subject can be distracting. Try to keep your shots tightly framed without cutting parts of your subject from the picture. Seeing a person's head trimmed in a shot isn't appropriate or favoured by the media.

5. AVOID ROWS.

Photograph a group in a natural cluster, never in a stiff row.

6. KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Avoid the temptation to photograph too many people in a group. Remember the focus of your article.

7. FOCUS ON FACIAL FEATURES.

Generally, faces should be at least as large as the nail on your little finger.

8. ALWAYS PROOF.

Ask for proof sheets from the processor before selecting negatives for printing. Better still with digital cameras, check your shot before saving. Be mindful of blurring because when the shot is printed any blurring is worsened and may ruin your shot.

9. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

Make sure people in your photographs receive copies. It's a really easy simple gesture that lets people know you appreciate their help.

10. ASK PERMISSION.

Always ask permission to take photographs of subjects used for publicity purposes. Always obtain a release, even for internal publications and file photos.

Source: Adapted from 'Public Relations: The Profession and the Practice', Otis Baskin, Crag Aronoff and Dan Lattimore, 4th ed, McGraw Hill, pg 213.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com

---

Press Kit Elements That Work

Considering how fundamental they are to the publicist's trade,it's always... Read More

Publicity for Financial Planners--Eight Tips For Success

Individual financial planners can outscore bigger competitors and gain market... Read More

How to Get a Story About You or Your Business in USA Today

I am often asked by clients to target USA Today... Read More

How to Keep PR Working for You

Managers in the non-profit, association and business worlds need to... Read More

Building Credibility Through Bylined Articles

As if making sure your company runs smoothly on an... Read More

The Ten Ps of PR

Everyone is talking about the Ps of successful marketing, so... Read More

Getting Articles Published - Eight Steps for Trade Publications

Trade publications present an excellent opportunity for organisations to gain... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Make Your Web Site a Resource for the Media

Reporters, by nature, are curious people.If you can get them... Read More

Managers: Why PR is SO Key

When outside audiences important to your operation do not understand... Read More

Managers Who Leave PR to Others

You're a business, non-profit or association manager who needs to... Read More

The PR And Marketing Expert Has A Smattering Of Knowledge Regarding Nearly Everything And Is Certain

PR, that is public-relations, leads the way to effective advertising;... Read More

Managers: Can We Agree on This?

Your public relations effort really should involve more than press... Read More

Media Training: How To Speak During a Media Interview

WHITE NOISEA client recently told me about a fascinating new... Read More

Is PR All About Image? NO!!

That's like asking if advertising is all about type faces... Read More

Speaking to the Press

If you get the hang of speaking to the press... Read More

Business Growth for Financial Planners in Five Easy Steps

Attracting new business: sometimes it happens by luck, sometimes by... Read More

Crisis Management

The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers,... Read More

Your Financial Planning Clients May Hold the Key to Free Publicity

Every reporter, from the cub at the small town paper... Read More

Transparency in Online Transactions

In these days of every increasing demand and competition, there... Read More

Financial Planners Get Free Publicity With Email

In previous articles for marketing-minded financial planners, I've discussed what... Read More

Make the Media Your Friend

The media (newspaper, radio, television) can be of enormous help... Read More

A Winning Public Relations Game Plan

You want to sell your products or services, and that... Read More

Ignore PR at Your Peril!

If you do, it means:you don't value tracking the perceptions... Read More

Is This Any Way to Run Your PR?

You bet!Especially for business, non-profit and association managers who REALLY... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Focus on Main Points During an Interview

You never want to inundate a reporter with information, but... Read More

PR: Time For a New Playbook?

When your public relations results pretty much depend on whether... Read More

7 Tips to Get More Mileage Out of Your Online or Offline Publicity

You worked hard to get a story on your business... Read More

Publicity: Financial Planners That Get It Follow One Rule

Advice about business and life often gets around to one... Read More

How To Write A Press Release: The 10 Commandments Of A Great Lead Paragraph

How to write a press release is a major challenge... Read More

PR: Ouch! Tells the Tale

Ever get the feeling that your public relations program isn't... Read More

There Is No Such Thing as Competition

A wise friend of mine has often said, "There is... Read More

Press Release Preparation

Small Business Owners should send press releases out at least... Read More

What I Do

I believe this about public relations.People act on their own... Read More