Better Pictures Make a Better Publication

A picture tells a thousand words, but a mug shot (also known as the head shot) usually says, “boring” or “arrested.” I’m not a photography expert, but I have spent a lot of time taking photos and even more time placing them in publications. I quickly learned the difference between interesting photos that pull readers in to articles and mug shots — that standard fare of business publications around the world.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with mug shots. In fact, I have a mug shot:

Sarah Z. Cordell

This shot decorates my various social media profiles. Mug shots serve very useful purposes. But when you populate your publication with them, you end up with a very boring-looking publication.

Interested in livening things up? Good! Here are some tips to follow.

• Don’t center your subject. Being a little off-balance is a good thing. It gives your pictures visual interest, and can sometimes make your subject look a little better.

• Pay attention to your background. If you’re using a wall as a backdrop, for example, make sure the picture hanging on that wall isn’t behind your subject. A too busy painting can dominate your image or while a frame might make your subject look as if horns are sprouting from his or her head (depending on where it falls).

• Play around with poses. You often don’t need a dead-on shot of the face, especially if you’re working with an internal publication where the featured individual is likely known to your readership.

• Vary your height. A shot from slightly below or slightly above your subject can make a traditional pose (arms crossed, leaning forward on the desk, etc.) look much more visually interesting.