December 20, 2012

When a corgi says a thousand words….

When a corgi says a thousand words….

The  right image can be the difference between your client’s stories getting a few column inches or a half a page splash in the media.  When briefing photographers for a PR shot there are always a number of things to consider – conveying your message, the brand and originality are all key.

You want to get the most out of your budget for your client, but at the heart of every decision absolutely needs to be focused around ‘what do picture editors want?’

A good picture can breathe life into coverage – something more than suits, suits and more suits, lined up looking cheery (or not in some cases!) about something they have done, won or an anniversary they are celebrating is essential.

So when we have the chance to do something really unique we put our (hmmm no pun intended) best foot forward.  Last month, Guernsey Cancer Support launched a fundraising event to help promote the awareness of gynaecological cancers – aimed to encourage the general public to wear ‘bright tights’ to work, school or just out and about during the day and our job was to provide a photo to the media that they couldn’t resist.

Tteam Orchard donned their brightest tights alongside the fundraising coordinator, but not keen to show their faces we decided to take a number of shots, specific to a range of local media, with the models reading each title. The shots went down well and even made it onto the front page of GBG.

Even once you have your perfect image there is still plenty to do. There are a few golden rules to remember:

1. Tailor your image to the media required

2. It’s best to send portrait, landscape and alternative options

3. Captions are key – relevant tagging for all images is essential for picture desks searches – double check and check again you have spelt everyone’s name correctly!

4. All images distributed to print and online media need to be the correct resolution – if you are not sure what this is – check first…

PS. Oh yes – I mentioned a corgi… Sometimes planning and preparation can take you only so far, and you need the stars to align to get that perfect shot. A few years ago when working in London a cookware client was marking its 60th anniversary with a statue of the queen made entirely of iconic small appliances.  A grand unveiling at Tower Bridge was planned and by pure chance a man walking his corgi took an interest in our unique sculpture of HRH making the most perfect image – and getting us more coverage than we thought was possible.

 

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