Photos & Graphics

Photo tips: It’s a camera, not a gun

If you’re taking publicity photos for your organization, or you’re hiring a freelance photographer to do it for you, keep in mind these photo tips courtesy of Sean McManus. I particularly like the one titled “No firing squad”: “It’s a camera, not a gun. Smile. Or at least, don’t look so terrified. People often shoot photos… Read More

Embedded cartoon animates press releases

If you want a good example of how to embed video into your press release, take a look at this release from Marketwire, one of the Big Three press release distribution services. It features a two-minute cartoon that ties into the company’s “Retire Your Old Newswire” campaign. I like the fact that it piggybacks onto the 100th anniversary of the press… Read More

Big magazines want your briefs

Aching to get into a major magazine like Time, Cosmopolitan or AARP? The easiest way is to start writing short items, or briefs, on timely, controversial or fun topics, then submit them to magazines on your media list. When editors are creating a particular issue of the magazine and place a story onto a page,… Read More

8 kinds of visuals to enhance your story

If you pitch environmental journalists, take a look at this post from the Green Media Toolshed about the importance of visuals with a story, and eight different types of visuals. The tips come from journalists at the Society of Environmental Journalists convention. During a panel discussion called Visualizing your Stories, three award-winning environmental reporters shared their… Read More

WALK! magazine needs copy, photos for winter gift guide

Cindi Leerman of WALK! Magazine writes: I am the editor/publisher/owner of WALK! Magazine, a new quarterly publication. I’m planning a gift giving guide for the Winter issue. However, I have no idea how to get submissions or who to contact. Athletic stores? Walking clubs? Readers? Manufacturers? Any suggestions you can offer would be appreciated! Cindi Leeman… Read More

Photo captions require care, accuracy

In my newspaper days, incorrect or poorly written captions caused more problems, and required more corrections, than any other part of the newspaper. If you can learn how to write great captions for photos you submit to the media, you will increase the chances of an accurate caption that doesn’t require a correction the following day.… Read More

Find a photographer at Look Better Online

Suzanne Falter-Barns, the expert at building your platform, passes along this great tip for anyone who needs a good-quality photo, but doesn’t want to resort to using the photographer at the local department store, or the camera in cousin Louie’s cellphone. Check out Look Better Online, a website that’s a directory of professional photographers in 6,000… Read More

Publicity photos will look better if you follow these tips

If you’re taking your own photos and submitting them to the media, increase your chances of getting them printed by following tips from Gregg McLachlan at the Newscollege website. They include: —No “execution-at-dawn” photos. —No photos of people smiling when the subject matter is serious. —The best photographers do more than move their finger on the… Read More

Ground-breaking photos are still dull–even in the New York Times

Thanks to Publicity Hound Shelly Cohen of Seattle, Washington for sending information about the groundbreaking at the Freedom Tower at ground zero in New York City. You’ll have to sign up at the New York Tims website in order to access it. Then click on the photo that’s on the left side of the page to see… Read More