Media Tips

Research your topic

Become an expert on the topic you are going to shoot. Study the way everything is organized, look at how similar stories were shot before by other professionals. This knowledge will help you to see and capture the subject from the most interesting angle. It will also be much easier to find a common ground with the central character of your photoshoot, as you’ll be able to speak the same language.

Call your leading character

Your shoot or photo project cannot start until you or your producer makes the first call to the main character of the photoshoot. Be clear and honest during this conversation. Explain the story you want to tell and your motivation behind it; how much time the shoot is going to take and where the photos are going to be published. Your “hero” has to trust you to let you into his often imperfect world. Just remember that many people refuse to be photographed not because they are hiding the truth, but because they are too stressed about how they are going to look in pictures.

Rehearse

If you have opportunity and time to visit the shoot location in advance — do it. Put together a detailed plan of the photos you are going to make. Such a plan has to include wide and medium angles, as well as detail shots, which will help you tell your story better. While making this plan try predicting the moments when your story will be at the peak of drama and looking most expressive.

Don’t stop

If something does not go as planned during a shotoshoot, do not give up. Instead, try gathering as many shots from different angles as you can. It is important to not stop but just keep shooting.

Keep context in mind

And finally a tip for those just starting their journey in photography. Do not shoot just the objects or people on their own, as they are not really interesting by themselves. Shoot them in the visual context of the story you are telling. Each image you create is a sentence, and it has to contain and express a thought.

Magnum Photos agency
representing some of the world’s most renowned photographers. The website features their best word.

The World Press Photo Foundation

a major force in developing and promoting the work of visual journalists. The website has a rich archive of award-winning press photographs.

Lensculture
a resource for visual journalists who want to keep up with the latest trends and debates in contemporary photography

The New York Times blog on photography.

The TIME magazine blog on photography

Greatphotojournalism
online community of professional photojournalists, featuring their very best work.

Photojournalism Links
a FB page hosted by photo editor Mikko Takkunen, providing links to interesting photo projects around the world.

NOOR
a photo agency and foundation.

The Reuters blog on news photo journalism

VII Agency
represents 19 of the world’s preeminent photojournalists, the site features some of their best work.