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

---

Tough Times, Tough Tactics

When times are tough, it's no time to ignore those... Read More

The Press Release: How to Get the Media to Pay Attention!

As many of you already know, promoting and marketing your... Read More

Sure-Fire Recipe for a Successful Public Relations Career

Without a solid, well-designed foundation, few buildings successfully withstand the... Read More

When Tactics Are Not Enough

Your public relations people are busy. The buzz is all... Read More

Making Great Announcements

When do you use the newspaper for publishing announcements for... Read More

Media Relations: Should You Pay For News Coverage, Part II

Last month, we told you about "pay for play," a... Read More

Dont Get Eaten Alive!

If you don't have a grip on public relations, how... Read More

Press Kit Elements That Work

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

Company Dress Codes for Small Business; Shorts and Pants

Most small businesses have logo'ed shirts, usually polo shirts with... Read More

Why Not Juice-Up Your PR?

Say, from tactics like special events, brochures and press releases... Read More

The 7 Deadly Sins of Press Releases

A press release is often your only chance to make... Read More

PR: A Potent Force for Success

What's REALLY potent for a business, non-profit or association manager... Read More

Public Relations Primer, Part II: Five Dos

1) Package your story. Two critical elements will help you... Read More

Same Old, Same Old PR Still Tops

Like human nature over time, the power of good public... Read More

Public Relations Mixup?

When you pay good money for public relations services, you... Read More

Public Relations Strategies: Focus PR Campaigns with Media Coverage Analysis

Prior to launching a new public relations campaign, evaluate the... Read More

What Kind of PR Makes Sense?

For business, non-profit and association managers, is it publicity that... Read More

Public Relations Productivity

Should it be measured in "publicity by the pound," or... Read More

Pressure From the Top?

Yes, and that pressure often comes from a CEO who... Read More

Want This Kind of PR?

PR that really does something positive about the behaviors of... Read More

PR: Your 500 Pound Gorilla

What else, for goodness sake, could you as a business,... Read More

PR: How Sweet It Is!

The public relations goal and strategy make sense; the message... Read More

The Ultimate PR Scam

It happens to business, non-profit and association managers when their... Read More

The Press Release Method to Get Great Publicity

If you have had any experience in public relations or... Read More

Foolproof Publicity for Marketing-Minded Financial Planners

They'd hate to admit it, but the media is pretty... Read More

PRs Big Bang Theory

Lots of theories out there about public relations.Everything from "publicity's... Read More

Dont Expect to Bump Oprah From A Magazine Cover

"I want a pony, a tree house and the fastest... Read More

The Working Case Study

Next to white papers, case studies are the most popular... Read More

Grow Your Financial Planning Practice by Taking Your Publicity National

Think that you aren't big enough for national media coverage?... Read More

What You Dont Know About PR Can Hurt You

And hurt bad if you are a business, non-profit or... Read More

CD ROM Business Cards

Created properly, an extremely effective marketing tool.It's a great concept,... Read More

PR: The Thrill of a Good Idea

The notion that a business, non-profit or association manager can... Read More

Whats Your Op-Ed?

Everyone has an opinion on something, and you can leverage... Read More