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image from jscoopmedia.com / Alyssa Wells
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As one-man-band journalism becomes a norm in many local newsrooms,
Don’t Go in Blind
If possible, look for your media contact on the press release or event Web site. Call/email him or her beforehand to introduce yourself. Ask about the general schedule of events (maybe the mayor will be riding in on a horse at the end of the event, so be near the exit, or maybe there will be an after-event with politicos) and for information regarding the important players or guests.
Also, ask if there are places where photography is prohibited. (I once got in very big trouble for photographing coffins before a funeral. No one said anything while I was taking them, but when they ran in the paper – whoo, boy!)
Know Outlet Policies
Not much to say here: Before you head out, ask your editor if you need consent forms or phone numbers from the people you photograph.
Check the Equipment
Failure to check your equipment can lead to missed shots, especially at smaller outlets with only a few cameras. Depending on your outlet, you may have a great camera or a point-and-shoot. (Don't poo-poo these, though; even as a novice photographer I managed to win a few awards with a SONY Cybershot).
Get extra batteries and charge the device, secure an extra memory card if possible, and make sure you've got a flash. A camera strap is nice, too. If available, definitely consider taking a tripod for indoor or distance work. As simple as it sounds, if it's the first time you've used the camera, give it a quick test in the office and just make sure it turns on and can take/store pictures. Aside from equipment, bring extra pens and business cards.
Dress Appropriately
A photographer should never be the worst-dressed person in the room. This does not necessarily imply suit and tie – khakis and a polo are usually fine, but skip on the sandals and the t-shirt with the sweat stains. However, if it's a funeral or upscale event, you may have to grab that jacket. The less you can stand apart from the crowd, the better.
Get There Early
Look for interesting happenings before the event actually starts (like kids being put into makeup before a performance, etc.). Look for good vantage points and stake out space if necessary. Test the lighting – indoor events can be very difficult to shoot, and are often impossible from a distance without proper equipment. Find your contact and ask which shots he or she thinks will be best, and verify where photos can and cannot be taken. Also, ask for a brochure so you'll have the correct spelling of the key sources’ names.
Consider the Captions
I’ve always been taught that if there are more than four or five people in a shot, you don't need all their names (unless they are all senators, etc.). When shooting people in smaller groups, get the spelling of their first and last names and where they're from, including city or sometimes even street address if everyone is from the area. In some circumstances, occupation is important as well.
You may need to take additional notes to help you remember which caption goes with which person, especially if you don't get their names all at once. Example: In my notes, I might write, “blue baseball cap - Fannie Mae.” Or something along these lines:
blond girl left - Jennifer Robinson
center boy - Mike Partridge
(Poynter outlines a few caption writing tips here.) Regardless, you'll need to juggle your camera with your notepad or audio recorder. Just make sure you've got a strap or a good grip on your camera while you're writing, or feel free to put the camera down a moment and scribble.
Work the Room
Remember that you're there to do your job, so don't be shy or hesitant to get where you need to be for the shot. Say (or whisper) "excuse me" and get there. You should not feel that you're being rude by moving constantly or taking pictures when no one else is doing the same – that's your function, and people will usually understand. That said, you need to be as unobtrusive as possible. Don't step on people's toes, push them or get in the public line of vision for more than a few seconds. If need be, crouch, sit or get a chair near the action and wait.
Keep in mind, you may have to compete with other photographers for the shot, too. Some are nice, others can be rotten. Don't let the meanies get to you – just focus on the shot.
Mix Things Up
Try to take different shots from different angles – wide, tight, close up, abstract, whatever you can manage. Try standing on a chair, a ledge or anything nearby to get above the crowd. Remember as much about the audience as you do about your subject, since the audience will often provide much of the event’s emotion.
Keep Clicking
Shoot – a lot. Your digital camera can hold hundreds of photos. You don't want someone to blink and ruin your single shot, so take multiple shots of everything. Sometimes I'll take 30 or 40 photos of the same speaker at the same podium just to make sure I get the right one. Remember that your flash can be blinding, so try not to annoy people if possible (and it's not always possible).
When you've done this long enough, you'll know when you've taken “the shot.” Until then, keep shooting and don't rationalize a bad shot into a good one, no matter how much time you put into it. Your editor won't care about your anguish – only the results. (Editor: Alex Horowitz)
