Photos are a MUST

By on February 19th, 2008 In Best Practices

There is nothing like getting a story in a publication and then discovering your clients dont have the right photos…or any good photos…ugggh.

I sent this email out to some of my clients today….and thought it would be a FRIENDLY REMINDER to other PR folks, too.

“If you don’t already have a professional headshot and body shot in hi-res, please get it done. You also need a hi-res logo and some hi-res shots of your business environment/products. This is not only important for your own marketing material/website/brochures/business card…but also for stories that may be published in the local media.

In the past week I have had two media requests for photos for clients with the reporter on deadline. I shouldn’t have to even ask for the photos…you should already have them and they should already be in my computer files because this isn’t the first time I got a call for a last-minute photo! “The media have a job to do, and if you are cooperative and help to make it easier for them, they are more likely to keep calling you in the future.”

(And we do need to chat in the future about a “MEDIA KIT/PRESS KIT TAB” for your website so media can easily download your photos, bios, facts, etc.)

If you need a photographer, I suggest Laird Brown. He has rates that start below $100 for a headshot photo session.

Laird Brown Photography
“I put YOU into your marketing”
Small business photos for websites and brochures
602-952-2348
www.smallbusinessphoto.com

Comments

Robyn Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

All I have to say is AMEN! It seems like I have to address this with nearly every client. And nothing kills a great story (or a good reporter relationship) like not being able to provide a great photo right away.

My go to guy is Dan Vermillion. He always coaxes natural, flattering pictures out of everyone I bring to his studio.

Dan is at:
602-253-6005
http://www.vermillionphoto.com

Amanda Blum Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

I’d like to throw Dan Coogan’s name into the hat as well. I appreciate his ability to make professionals feel natural in their own space… (but i happen to love dan vermillion and laird’s work, too)

http://www.cooganphoto.com/

Luanne Mattson Says:
February 20th, 2008 at 8:17 am

Loren Anderson does a great job for Scottsdale Healthcare. He is at 602-244-2336. http://www.LorenAndersonPhoto.com.

Malcolm Says:
February 20th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

I agree.
It works to have multimedia integrated into your direct pitching and it works to have multimedia integrated into releases you send out over the wire – any wire.
We at Business Wire see nearly 2.5x as many page views (on average) for releases with photos vs. their plain text counterparts. Why? Here are a few other ideas to go along with what Charlotte wrote.

*Supplying multimedia means that you’ve just separated yourself from most other headlines/pitches coming in.
*Multimedia takes your text and makes it tangible whether it’s a headshot, a building, a product, etc.
*A photo means that the journalist or blogger doesn’t have to go through the process of asking for any multimedia assets. It saves them time.

A .jpg says a thousand .txt…

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