10 tips for a perfect newspaper picture
A good picture is essential and should ideally be sent with your press release, ahead of your event or very soon after. Of course, this presents its own difficulties and may require some creativity.
1. The practicalities
Use a decent digital camera
Use a digital camera and shoot in colour.
Don’t send out massive files but don’t send low quality photos either.
About 1-3mb is ideal (a camera with a minimum of 3 million pixels and a decent sized lens – so probably not a mobile).
Don’t send out massive files but don’t send low quality photos either.
About 1-3mb is ideal (a camera with a minimum of 3 million pixels and a decent sized lens – so probably not a mobile).
2. Background
Pick your spot carefully
Pick a relevant background rather than standing against a plain wall.
This story is about the church celebrating an anniversary, so it makes sense to have a photo of the vicar and the building. If you're a business, don't go overboard with company logos.
This story is about the church celebrating an anniversary, so it makes sense to have a photo of the vicar and the building. If you're a business, don't go overboard with company logos.
3. People
People make stories - so put them in the picture!
It may seem obvious but always include people! A shot of your factory on its own is not interesting.
Also, make sure people are either in shot or out of it – don’t have stray arms appearing in shot.
On a similar note, don't send in a scan of your flyer and expect it to be published.
Also, make sure people are either in shot or out of it – don’t have stray arms appearing in shot.
On a similar note, don't send in a scan of your flyer and expect it to be published.
4. Stamp out the stamp!
Turn off the 'date stamp' option which some cameras have - a newspaper will have to edit these out.
5. Action!
Always match the tone of the story
Most newspapers like staged action shots which tell the story, so think of any props that you could include. If the event hasn't happened yet...improvise.
Pictures should also match the ‘tone’ so don’t stand there looking miserable if your employees have 'world cup fever'.
Pictures should also match the ‘tone’ so don’t stand there looking miserable if your employees have 'world cup fever'.
6. Get creative
Cheque photos are OK - but try to be more creative
Photos of people holding a cheque are not particularly interesting and some bigger newspapers won’t touch them.
However...if you try something different and think your photo may be a bit too wacky for your local paper, send a more conservative alternative as well.
However...if you try something different and think your photo may be a bit too wacky for your local paper, send a more conservative alternative as well.
7. Four's a crowd
Less is more in a newspaper photo
As a general rule, no more than about four people should be in a picture.
The exception would be if the number of people being present was the story (e.g. a queue of three hundred trying to get into a carol service).
The photo on the left is too busy.
The exception would be if the number of people being present was the story (e.g. a queue of three hundred trying to get into a carol service).
The photo on the left is too busy.
8. Flexibility
Send at least one landscape and one portrait picture. Small newspapers often work with quite strict templates so flexibility is useful.
9. Are they usable?
Hmm...not exactly front page stuff
It's pretty obvious but make sure your pictures are focused and bright.
Follow the usual photographic rules of not shooting into light, use a tripod when possible etc.
Beware of wonky angles, which only occasionally work.
Follow the usual photographic rules of not shooting into light, use a tripod when possible etc.
Beware of wonky angles, which only occasionally work.
10. Captioning
‘Caption’ your pictures, so that it’s clear who everyone is. The best way is to rename the file with the people’s names.