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Top 8 Tips for Submitting Photos to Media

By April 4, 2023No Comments
Submitting Photos to Media

No matter what industry you are in, images are essential when distributing press-worthy news. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words! Images amplify content and entice readers to be more interested in the story.

Images also help stories to reporters and can be a game-changer when securing coverage. At award-winning Fort Lauderdale- and Aspen-based public relations and marketing agency Durée & Company, we have spent more than two decades sending attention-grabbing images to media and achieved picture-perfect results!

Below is a snapshot of our top 8 tips for submitting photos to media, and how to make them stand out from competitors:

  • Quality is key: Make sure your photos are large enough. The standard resolution for print media is 300 dots per inch (dpi), which means that an image must have at least 300 pixels per inch to be considered high-quality for print. Photos with a higher dpi will look sharper and clearer when printed in a publication, which can help to grab readers’ attention and make them more interested in the story.
  • Adhere to the media outlet’s criteria: Provide the news outlet with exactly what they are requesting:
    • Approved image file type (JPEG, PNG, EPS, etc.)
    • Minimum image resolution (If you submit lower than this, your image may not scale properly)
    • Maximum image file size
    • Approved file name format
  • Give credit where credit is due: Give proper credit for the photos. The photographer must provide rights to the images, so you are allowed to use them for editorial purposes.
    • Photographer credit: When submitting photos, make sure to provide the name of the photographer who captured the images. This ensures that they receive proper credit for their work and helps build a relationship between the photographer and the news outlet.
    • Rights to use the images: It’s important to ensure that the photographer has provided the necessary rights to use the images for editorial purposes. This typically means that the photographer has granted the news outlet permission to use the images in their publication or on their website, and that they have not licensed the images exclusively to another entity.
    • Image usage agreement: In some cases, the photographer may require an image usage agreement to be signed before the images can be used for editorial purposes. This agreement outlines the terms of use, such as the duration of use, where the images can be displayed, and any fees associated with usage.
  • Don’t forget the cutline or caption: Include a cutline (the description of what is happening in the photo and includes the names of those in the photo) with the photo. Here are some key elements to consider when creating a cutline:
    • Description of the photo: The cutline should provide a concise description of what is happening in the photo. This may include details about the setting, event, or subject matter.
    • Names of individuals in the photo: If the photo features identifiable individuals, it’s important to include their names in the cutline. Names should be listed in order from left to right unless it is impossible for the caption to read normally otherwise. Including the names of those in the photo can help provide context and make the photo more engaging for readers.
    • Accuracy of information: When creating a cutline, it’s important to ensure that all information provided is accurate and factually correct. This includes spelling of names, location of the photo, and other relevant details.
    • Length of the cutline: The length of the cutline may vary depending on the news outlet’s guidelines, but generally, it should be kept brief and to the point. A cutline should typically be no more than a few sentences.
  • Link it: Do not attach multiple images to an email. If you’re sending multiple photos, you may need to send them via Dropbox or a Google Drive shared folder. Label your images so the media can easily distinguish which photo is which.
  • Variety is the spice: Remember that space can be tight and journalists may not be able to use every photo. By providing a good mix of horizontal and vertical photos, you are giving them more options and making it easier on the designer. For post-event photos, most media outlets request at least 8–10 images, so they have a variety to choose from and can select those that best fit their story.
  • Headshots for thought leadership pieces: If you’re writing a thought leadership piece, consider sending a headshot with your submission. Remember, most publications require high-resolution images (300dpi) to avoid grainy/blurry photos. Name the photo appropriately with the full name of the person photographed.
  • Share context: Include all proper details with the photos. Provide a press release or media alert to accompany the photos to really tell the story. If reporters have everything they need, it will be easier for them to feature what you want them to.

Did you enjoy this blog on submitting photos to media? Check out Durée & Company’s blog The Ultimate Guide to Lifestyle Headshots for a Brand.

Looking for the best shot at getting your photos noticed by the media? Don’t be camera shy ― contact us to help you get the results you want!

 

About Durée & Company

Founded in 1999, Durée & Company is a full-service, well-respected and highly creative public relations and marketing agency serving a diverse client base of local, national and international consumer brands, landmark industries, business leaders and philanthropists from its offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Aspen, Colorado. Practice areas include nonprofit, hospitality, business, lifestyle, health and wellness, legal, real estate, yacht and marine as well as cannabis, psychedelics, and other emerging industries. Durée & Company is a member of some of the nation’s most elite professional organizations including PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI), The Florida Hemp Council, The Cannabis Marketing Association and is a corporate partner of Cannabis LAB. Join the social conversation and follow Durée & Company on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn at @DureeCoPR. To learn more, call 954-723-9350; go to dureeandcompany.com; cannabismarketingpr.com; or psychedelicpr.com. Join the social conversation and follow Durée & Company on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn at @DureeCoPR.

 

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Five Things That Need to be in Your Resume or Cover Letter

To paraphrase Jerry Maguire, help us help you. As we sift through the paperwork, here’s what we are looking for:

1. What you love to do and why.

In PR, you may love writing, editing, interviewing, pitching the media, researching, coordinating events, networking, posting to social media … whew! While we would love it if you had a passion for it all, we’d never believe you if you said as much.

What part of this zany, crazy, whirlwind, yet meticulous, tedious, detail-oriented, profession calls to you and why? Help us make the connection as to how PR is really for you, and call it your Professional Summary.

2. Something you did that changed something or someone else.

If you never showed up to your last job, what wouldn’t have happened? That’s right. Erase yourself. Now which clients disappeared with you? Which articles just fade away? What press releases cease to exist? How much social media did NOT get liked?

We are just meeting you. So take a moment to spell out your impact, and it will be easier for us to see what you can do for the clients of Durée & Company. Share this under your Job Responsibilities.

3. Anything you created.

Feeling humble? Well, stop it. This is the part where you brag. If you craft a delightful blog, master a mind-blowing website, shoot crazy video or direct wonderful events, show us.

Then tell us a bit of how you did it, so we trust that it was your brilliance and not the intern’s. Let’s dub this Your Portfolio.

4. An indication of why you belong here.

At PR firm Durée & Company, we have a culture. Really, all companies do. To learn about ours, do some legwork. At this point, if you’re on our blog, you are in the right spot to begin learning. Hate pink? Not good with women? Live in Kansas? Low energy? Then you might want to reconsider applying. However, if we resemble a group that you’d like to hang out with, share why. You can do that in the Cover Letter.

5. Correctly spelled words – all of them.

Do more than hit spell check. Know how to spell or ask someone to proofread. Correctly spelled words work everywhere, all the time. Consider them the Little Black Dresses of resumes.

So consider these five tips – we’ve just given you a “cheat sheet” about what we’re watching out for. Even if our position may not be for you, feel free to use our advice for another – it may just get you the job!