Pitch Your Photo Story to a Magazine and See What Happens Next
This is an exercise that will increase your creativity, and give you more access to possibilities.
How to Pitch a Photo Story to a Magazine or Publication.
Have you ever wanted to see your work in a magazine? Maybe a feature shoot, or even a cover? It is a lot of fun to see your photos being used to illustrate an article, knowing that thousands of people will be seeing those images. And knowing they were made by you is icing on the cake.
To do that, a photographer must engage with those who are making the magazines. In particular, the photo editor, editor, or art director.
This may be the same person in smaller publications, but in larger pubs, you may see several people in the masthead portion for photography. My advice is to send your pitch to all of them if you do not know exactly who to send it to.
What is a pitch?
Well, it is different than sending photographs, hoping that they will see your work as being an integral part of the story that they have already commissioned, usually from a writer. This is the most common way for photographers to engage with photo editors.
“Hey, here is what I do. Do you like it enough to assign me to a story?”
A pitch is your photography along with an idea for a story.
Let’s say you have access to a very specific area of Lassen Volcano National Park, and there will be a special hike or event held there. This is something you believe a lot of people may be interested in, especially folks who do adventure hiking.
This could make a great story for a magazine like Men’s Health.
So you make a pitch to the magazine with that idea in mind.
What you need:
- Three images of your work that show your understanding of adventure hiking, and what makes a super-engaging photograph.
- Three or four paragraphs telling a little bit about your idea and why you think they would be interested in running that story.
- Links to your website, social media, and contact information.
- The confidence to hit “send”.
That last one is the hardest, I know.
But trust me when I say that no one has died because of hitting the send button.
In fact, you should count on hitting the send button a couple of thousand times.
Every year.
Connecting with a photo editor to pitch a story can be a great way to get your work seen, evaluated, and published. Pitching a magazine editor isn’t hard, but it takes some simple guidelines, and a careful approach, which we should be aware of.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make that connection:
We will use the magazine, Men’s Health for our example. It would be the same for any other magazines for the most part.
1. Research and Preparation
Before reaching out, make sure you’re well-prepared.
- Identify the Right Contact: Look for the photo editor’s name and contact details on the Men’s Health masthead, LinkedIn, or the magazine’s website.
- Understand Their Style: Familiarize yourself with the magazine’s visual and editorial style. Look through recent issues and note the type of photography and stories they feature.
- Polish Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date with your best work, particularly pieces that align with the magazine’s style and photographic aesthetic. (However, do not change your work to “look like what they want”. No one knows what they want, so show your authentic work, but know it is appropriate.
2. Crafting Your Pitch
Your pitch should be concise, compelling, and tailored to Men’s Health (or whatever magazine you are pitching this story to).
- Subject Line: Keep it clear and to the point. For example, “Photography Pitch: Innovative Fitness Photography for Men’s Health”.
- Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and your background. Mention any relevant work or clients that might catch their attention.
- Story Idea: Present your story idea succinctly. Explain why it’s a good fit for Men’s Health and how it aligns with their audience.
- Visuals: Include a few (three) low-resolution images and a link to an online portfolio showcasing relevant work.
- Call to Action: Suggest a follow-up meeting or call to discuss further.
3. Reaching Out
Use a professional yet friendly tone in your email.
Subject: Photography Pitch: A Hidden Trail in Lassen Challenges Senior Hikers
Hi [Photo Editor’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am a professional photographer specializing in adventure and mountaineering photography. With over 8 years of experience working with North Face, REI, and various mountaineering companies, I’ve developed a keen eye for capturing dynamic and engaging images that tell a compelling story.
I’m reaching out to pitch a story idea that I believe would resonate with Men’s Health’s audience. My concept focuses on a very special hike with men over the age of 70 on a little-known trail in Lassen Volcano National Park. I think it aligns perfectly with the magazine’s commitment to promoting health, fitness, and wellness.
Attached, you’ll find a few sample images that illustrate the style and quality of my work. You can also view more of my portfolio at MyAwesomeWebsite.com.
I would love the opportunity to discuss this idea further and explore how we can bring it to life in an upcoming issue of Men’s Health. Are you available for a brief call or meeting next week?
Thank you for considering my story. I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[Your Website/Portfolio Link]
4. Follow-Up
If you don’t hear back within a week or two, send a polite follow-up email. Editors are busy, and a gentle nudge can help. Be courteous and respectful. Wait at least three weeks for the second follow-up.
5. Networking
Engage with the magazine on social media, attend industry events, and connect with other contributors. Building relationships can often lead to opportunities.
(But Don, I don’t know how to find an editor’s email address — help me!).
Sure
To find a magazine photo editor’s email address, you can use several strategies:
- Contact the Switchboard:
Call the publication’s switchboard and ask for the photo editor’s email address. Be clear that you are a freelance photographer looking to pitch an idea. - Check the Masthead:
For print magazines, the masthead lists all departments and staff members. Look for the editor’s name and use common email formulas (e.g., firstname.lastname@magazine.com) to guess their email address. - Search Online:
Use search engines to find terms like “managing editor” or “photo editor” along with the publication name. Look for contributor or writer guidelines, which may include contact details. - Social Media:
Check the editor’s social media profiles, such as Twitter or LinkedIn. Editors often list their professional email addresses in their bios. - Email Verification Tools:
Use tools like Hunter.io or Verify-Email to test potential email addresses based on common corporate email structures - Media Kits and Press Rooms:
Visit the magazine’s masthead or press page, or request a media kit, which often includes contact information for editors and other staff. You can do research on Linkedin as well. Try Wiza.com and do the work.
Networking:
Media Kits and Press Rooms:
Visit the magazine’s press room or request a media kit, which often includes contact information for editors and other staff.Reach out to mutual contacts or other photographers who may have the editor’s email address. Networking within photo communities can be an extremely valuable resource.
By using these methods, you should be able to find the contact information you need to pitch your photo story idea.
Connecting with a photo editor can seem daunting.
Mostly because it is.
But with a well-crafted pitch and a bit of persistence, you’re on the right track to getting your work noticed.
Now, send out ten to twenty of these a week to magazines, and you will see some movement. Guaranteed.
If you have a good story idea, pitch it to multiple magazines. It’s a numbers game, folks, and the higher your numbers, the better chance you have of getting a hit.
Let me know when you get an assignment.
(Because if you do this enough time, you will.)
(Did I mention it is a number’s game, and that you have to kiss a hell of a lot of frogs to get a winner? I did? Good… I just did it again.)
Build a Strong Portfolio, Start Your Business, and Create an Incredible Creative Life
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Ever felt stuck trying to figure out what clients really want? Wondering how to stay ahead in this constantly changing business of commercial photography? Don’t know which way to turn?
I get it.
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We even set up a private Facebook group. It’s become a treasure trove for ideas, strategies, and peer-to-peer support. No trolls, just a highly engaged community.
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Commercial photography is changing fast, and our assignments need to keep up.
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Hi, I’m Don Giannatti, a photographer and mentor for up-and-coming photographers. You can find me on my website, Don Giannatti, and at my Substack site, where I also publish for creative people. All subscribers to my Substack have access to a free, long-form workshop on the business of commercial and professional photography.
