This document discusses how photographers can create compelling visuals for election reporting by going beyond standard photos of politicians at podiums or forums. It encourages photographers to arrive early and stay late to capture candid moments, engage in a "documentary approach" by following politicians' normal routines to reveal unscripted details, and "make action photos" that draw readers into the story. Coaxing politicians to show their authentic selves outside of scripted events can help readers connect with candidates on a personal level and better understand why they should care about them. Starting election coverage early allows time to research key events and edit photos to tell political stories visually in an impactful way.

1. How photography and
multimedia can breathe new
life into your election reporting
Brian Kratzer
Director of photography
Columbia Missourian

2. When thinking about
politicians, what sort of photos do
you
expect to see?

3. When thinking about
politicians, what sort of photos do
you
expect to see?

4. When thinking about
politicians, what sort of photos do
you
expect to see?

5. When thinking about
politicians, what sort of photos do
you
expect to see?

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

7. How about now?

8. Does this make it better?

9. 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

10. If you want to create impactful
election coverage, then…

11. Go beyond the podium.

12. Go beyond the podium.

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

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

15. Photographers are coached to
arrive early, stay late.

16. Photographers are coached to
arrive early, stay late.

17. Make action photos.

18. Make action photos.

19. 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.

20. Fight the scripted event.

21. Don’t settle for this.

22. Make this happen instead.

23. Can you convince candidates to
let down their barriers?

24. What do candidates…
…do for fun?
…do at work?
…feel a connection to?
Why should your readers
care about the candidate?

25. Coaxing the candidate
Explain what your goal is.

26. Coaxing the candidate
People don’t know what is
interesting about themselves.

27. Coaxing the candidate
Embrace the
‘fly on the wall’

28. Coaxing the candidate
Simply going about their normal
routines can reveal little unscripted
moments that can tell volumes.

29. Coaxing the candidate
Simply going about their normal
routines can reveal little unscripted
moments that can tell volumes.
This is the documentary approach.

30. The Trail

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

36. You can tell political stories visually.

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

38. You can tell political stories visually.
Be there when the action happens.
Shoot wide, medium and tight.

39. You can tell political stories visually.
Be there when the action happens.
Shoot wide, medium and tight.
Give yourself time before the deadlines.

40. 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

41. You can tell political stories visually…

42. …and redefine them as you like.

43. …and redefine them as you like.

44. …and redefine them as you like.