How photography and multimedia can breathe new life into your election

reporting

Brian KratzerDirector of photography

Columbia Missourian

When thinking about politicians, what sort of photos do you

expect to see?

When thinking about politicians, what sort of photos do you

expect to see?

When thinking about politicians, what sort of photos do you

expect to see?

When thinking about politicians, what sort of photos do you

expect to see?

Are you compelled to read the story that goes with this photo?

How about now?

Does this make it better?

Do the previous photographs compel your readers to:

A. Pick up your paper?B. Stay on your website?

C. Draw you into the story?D: Pass on by

If you want to create impactful election coverage, then…

Go beyond the podium.

Go beyond the podium.

Forums can be a great place to update your archives, but…

…the last photo I want to run is of a person at a forum or podium.

Photographers are coached to arrive early, stay late.

Photographers are coached to arrive early, stay late.

Make action photos.

Make action photos.

The act of engaging with others and showing honest emotion will elevate the impact the photograph has on your readers.

You want to draw your readers in by using compelling visuals.

Fight the scripted event.

Don’t settle for this.

Make this happen instead.

Can you convince candidates to let down their barriers?

What do candidates… …do for fun?…do at work?

…feel a connection to?

Why should your readerscare about the candidate?

Coaxing the candidate

Explain what your goal is.

Coaxing the candidate

People don’t know what is interesting about themselves.

Coaxing the candidate

Embrace the ‘fly on the wall’

Coaxing the candidate

Simply going about their normal routines can reveal little unscripted moments that can tell volumes.

Coaxing the candidate

Simply going about their normal routines can reveal little unscripted moments that can tell volumes.

This is the documentary approach.

The Trail

The Trail

We began coverage in September.Starting early was key to finishing.

You can tell political stories visually.

You can tell political stories visually.Be there when the action happens.

You can tell political stories visually.Be there when the action happens.

Shoot wide, medium and tight.

You can tell political stories visually.Be there when the action happens.

Shoot wide, medium and tight.

Give yourself time before the deadlines.

You can tell political stories visually.Research

Know about key events you can’t miss.

Shoot wide, medium and tight.

Give yourself time before the deadlines.- edit- talk with a colleague- understand the story

You can tell political stories visually…

…and redefine them as you like.

…and redefine them as you like.

…and redefine them as you like.