Magazine Photography

Photography and design is vital to the success of a magazine. This is because the visual impact will effect readers immediately.  The picture and art editors are responsible for a team of layout artists and designers if working on a big publication. The role is a big part of commissioning as the art editor has to build a team of freelancers who provide photography and illustration for the magazine. They are also responsible for the most single most important page, the front cover. This is because this is what will either attract or turn away readers at the newsstand. This makes sourcing of images very important. Magazine companies source images in many ways. Some of these ways include:

• Employed photographers
• Free lancers
• Picture libraries
• PR companies

Employed photographers are in-house photographers that work for the magazine. They work on getting pictures at the time for the specific article. For example a live band shoot to go along side a band promotion.  Free lancers are solo photographers that aren't contracted to just one magazine. They work with many individually. Magazine companies can also source images from picture library's such as Corbis. These are companies which own a huge collection of high quality images. Magazines usually use images from companies like these when they cant get the photo themselves by using free lancers or in-house photographers. For example, a picture of a dead artist.