Once a month we will be hosting a Guest Voices slot in the newsletter. We’re on the look out for diverse and different takes, advice, tips and projects. We’ve already had quite a few submissions so please don’t think we’re ignoring you if you have sent an idea - we will be in touch. If you would like to put your name forward, there is a Google form at the end of the newsletter.
This week our writer is Yuvan Kumar, an award-winning freelance photographer and multimedia journalist. His work has spanned a wide-range of topics across culture, music, sustainability and immigration and he has been published by Dove, Dazed, The Sunday Times, Condé Nast Traveller, UNICEF and NME.
Top three tips for a great photo essay
Think of the photograph of the man standing in front of Chinese tanks in Tiananmen Square, in 1989. Or the iconic portrait of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara the day before he died. His face is now one of the most recognisable faces in history. What about a sailor and a nurse locked in an embrace against the backdrop of New York’s Times Square?
If you close your eyes, the chances are you can picture at least two out of three.
When done right, taking photographs is one of the most effective ways to tell a story. And a well-executed photo essay does not need the reader to have prior knowledge of the work or the creator. It creates its own narrative, taking readers or viewers through sensations, lessons, and reactions.
1. Pick a specific angle
As a photojournalist, it is not enough to want to capture the lives of people in one’s hometown or family. Some important questions to ask when choosing an angle or theme are: What about them makes them unique or different? Is there a specific collective history that has shaped them a certain way? Why is their story relevant now?
These generally apply to narrative photo essays – which are aimed at telling the viewer a story.
Knights of the knives, a recent photo essay for Huck Magazine captures the plight of India’s curbside barbers, or nais (pronounced na-ee) ahead of a looming second lockdown in March 2021.
The specific angle helped lend context to the piece, which talks about the groups disproportionately impacted in India’s Covid response. Visually, a few interesting subjects can help outline the text and highlight their resilience.
2. Include a variety of images
Whether you are creating photographs on commission or to pitch to an editor, including a variety of images is essential. Not only does this help create a more holistic story, but also means you can use pictures in different combinations depending on their purpose.
See this photo essay on Notting Hill Carnival 2019, which features wide shots, portraiture, close ups and detail shots to give the viewer a complete experience. An important factor when executing photo essays is also the accessibility to subjects/sources and locations.
When capturing thematic photo essays – which speak to a specific subject – a variety of images help immerse the viewer deeper into your story. This still life essay, shot at the beginning of the first lockdown in April 2020, captures the stillness of adapting to full-time life at home. Also see this series, shot in a spice market in Kochi, India.
3. Know your audience (and niche)
As with any other freelance journalistic pieces, a good photo essay lands best with the right audience. Research the publication and its visual-led sections thoroughly to understand where your story will work best. The Dazed Art & Photography section will most certainly have different content from Aesthetica’s Photography one.
But there’s nothing stopping you from repurposing one body of work to produce two story ideas – for publications that have slightly different niches/readership. Cast a wide net too, as even though one publication might not accommodate the piece, another could be more than happy to run it.
And finally, what is crucial with all freelancing journalism is also crucial here. It pays (literally) to spend time on Twitter, Facebook groups for journos as well as to develop relationships with editors who have commissioned you. Signing up for relevant newsletters, awards and memberships – such as ones offered by 1854 Access or Pitchwhizz – is another great way to keep up with the industry. And get your work seen by the world.
Most of all, creating effective photo essays is about striking the balance between your voice and what’s right for the publication.
You can find out more about Yuvan through his website at yuvankumar.com, follow him on Instagram where he is @van_tage_point or look out for him on Twitter at @yuvan695.
Looking back over our most popular podcast episodes
This summer we’re going to delve into the archives and have a look at our most popular podcast episodes to date. I don’t know what this says about the freelancing community that our episode on Imposter Syndrome immediately shot up the charts. For whatever reason we seemed to touch a nerve with this one. Listen again to award-winning journalist Donna Ferguson and entertainment specialist Nick McGrath about acknowledging your achievements, dealing with rejection and putting negative thoughts into perspective. You can get it here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Triumph of the week
Seeing someone we have worked with on a pitch, getting their first article in print. Ahhh the excitement!
That feeling when…
You make it to Friday in one piece…
Do keep sending in your Listener Dilemmas for us to answer in series 6 of the podcast which we are starting to record very soon.
Either post a message in our Facebook Community or contact us at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com.
Bye for now!