I get asked all the time where should people submit stories to? My answer is always the same, “Who do you know? Who do you work with?” When I was at the Los Angeles Times, photographers sent me photo stories all the time. They might have been very good, but I don’t know you and it’s a matter of trust. Recently, scrolling through Facebook I came across a story that seemed rather odd and quite sensational. I checked the sources and was unfamiliar with them. Reading further about the subject, I found the article was wrong. So how does that affect you? I don’t know you, I have to trust you. I have to know you are showing me the truth. Cultivate relationships, and if you don’t know someone where you want to be published, find a way to get to know them. I was recently looking at the New York Times portfolio review and the list of reviewers was an incredible who’s who list of photography. Did you apply? Workshops, conferences, you know that old saying about networking and that you need to do it. Network.
One other thing to consider; know who you are selling to. Don’t send a story that is a year old when you know the publisher is only interested in current news. Cultivate relationships, and if you don’t know someone where you want to be published find a way to get to know them.
