Taking photographs to accompany your article is a great way to earn a little extra cash, make your article more marketable, and establish yourself to your clients as someone capable of taking great pictures.
Many amateur photographers make major mistakes relating to the subject of the picture. The good news is these mistakes are easily averted. Here's how:
1) Focus on the subject of the article. For example, you are writing a story about exciting places to take your child during summer vacation. While we all agree your 10-year-old son is adorable, the focus of the photo should be the giant dinosaur skeleton that captured his attention. Instead of a close up mostly featuring your son and his enamored expression, stand back and take a picture that illustrates a little boy standing in awe of an enormous dinosaur.
2) Don't strike a pose. Take a quick look at the photographs in your local newspaper. I'm betting there aren't many showing people standing around facing the camera with smiles on their faces. Stories illustrate action and your pictures should as well. The photo of your son looking at the dinosaur, while not an overly exuberant action, accents the words in your article more so than a picture of your smiling son posing in front of the exhibit.
3) Never wear white. Actually, you can wear white, just do not let your subject wear white. White does not show well in photographs. Assuming your son has the day off, do not choose people to be in your photo who are wearing white clothes. Instead chose people wearing brighter colors. Also, make sure to have photo releases on hand. You can find release templates online. This helps identify the people in the photo should the editor require the information.
4) Get the guidelines. Like writers, photographers have guidelines too. You can typically find photo guidelines in the same way you find writer guidelines. Look online at the publication's website or call the photo editor. These guidelines will instruct you as to the size and format of the picture and how to submit your photo.
Photographs are meant to enhance and emphasize the words on the page, just as the words on the page should serve as a written illustration of the photograph. Keep this concept in mind as you take your photos, and work with editors and photographers to learn what photographs best. You will soon be on your way to taking perfect pictures to accompany your articles.
After a decade-long career in marketing and public relations, Heather Strickland decided to take the plunge into full-time freelance writing. She currently specializes in writing content for a variety of websites and blogs. Heather can be reached via e-mail at i_write@ymail.com.
