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Photos are invaluable tools! High resolution Black and white photos 300 dpi (dots per square inch) jpeg or tiff files are the easiest for newspapers or graphic artists to work with.
As a general rule, try not to have more than four people in the photo. Try to capture the movement clearly. Blurry or out-of-focus photos are arty -- keep them for yourself, newspapers will not print them. Full body photos should include the feet and hands. Headshots should be your face and shoulders -- easy to look at. If you plan to work in film/television as a performer, headshots are a must.
For the media! Have photos prepared a minimum of three to four weeks in advance of your production. Email or courier a CD with the digital images or prints to photo editors of publications three weeks in advance. They may be used to accompany your listing. If your show is reviewed, send your photo to the photo editor the day before by email or courier with a note indicating the name of reviewer and the date of the review.
Research the photographer! Look at other artists' photos. If you like a colleague's photos, arrange to contact their photographer. When you choose the photographer, inquire about all costs. Does the fee include prints? How long is the session? Plan your photo shoot with the photographer and have your own ideas.
What about copyright of photographs? The photographer owns the copyright; s/he is the creator of that portrait. If the portrait was commissioned or made in the course of employment or apprenticeship, copyright will belong to the person who commissioned the portrait or to the employer, unless there is an agreement to the contrary. Most photographers may obtain a model release to protect themselves. To own the photograph copyright, you must prove:
- The photographic work was purchased with "valuable consideration" such as money or services.
- The photographic work was created because of your request order and was not created prior to the requested order of photographic services being made.
TIPS!
- Label your CDs and the back of your prints before sending them out: name of the work, company, choreographer, dancers (list left to right if more than one), photographer and return address. Type the label.
- Photos with contrast, i.e. light backgrounds to highlight the dancers, are more likely to be used by journalists.
- Never, ever give out an original photo -- make prints or send a digital image.
- Scan your photos for easy transmission via email to producers, newspapers and graphic artists.
- Photocopies of photos are useless.
Article originally contributed by Keith Cole
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