Miki Barlok

The Importance of Creative Photography

One of the most important elements for an effective PR campaign is good photography. I constantly tell my clients this and encourage them to book my photographers of choice. We are lucky to have some really talented photographers in Cork who can follow a brief and come up with their own creative ideas just the same. This is priceless in the hunt for a great photographer.

Eyecatching photographs can turn a ‘maybe’ story in to a “we have to use this” story. I always like to come up with some creative concepts for photocalls rather than portray the usual model shots or the corporate ones of the subject looking in to the distance with their arms folded. It is all part of the job to present the client with something really different and by building good relationships with photographers, it ensures that an idea can be brought to life.

Announcement of CSO's 1812 Concert (Miki Barlok)

One should never skimp on photography either for their corporate literature or website as you will be stuck looking at it along with the rest of the world every time you open your brochure or log on to your site. It pays to spend a little extra for what you want rather than just make do with it for now as it can save you a lot in the long term.

For newsdesks it is extremely important to ensure that the photographer you choose has a good relationship with the target publications, that they will embed the captions, distribute to the correct picturedesk addresses and follow up on them for you – most picturedesk editors don’t like or have the time to speak to anyone who isn’t in the know!

Donncha O' Connor and Colm Cooper pull together to support the resumption of the Cork Swansea Ferry as the West Cork Tourism Co-Op battle to raise €3m for the cause. (Don MacMonagle Photography)

Sometimes you may have to try a little harder to land the pics so if you can be flexible with a release date it usually helps and many photographers are able to guide you as to what day may not be as busy.

Overall, the more creative the better – don’t be afraid to do something a little different. You need to stand out from the hundreds of other pictures that editors must trawl through every day – if not for yourself, then at least give them something exciting to look at for a few seconds – you might just put a smile on their face and they’ll put your face on their pages…which is the name of the game!

Launch of the Grandmother's Recipe Competition in conjunction with A Taste of West Cork and Ballymaloe. (GMC Photography)

Here are some of my favourite pictures from photocalls and assignments I have worked on in the past while – with thanks to Miki Barlok (Cork Symphony Orchestra photo), Gerard McCarthy/GMC Photography (Darina Allen and West Cork Tourism photos), and Don MacMonagle (footballers photo). Each of these stories achieved incredible media coverage across the national and regional papers, due in no small part to the eye catching pictures. These guys are always great to work with and more of their amazing work can be seen on their sites;

http://www.barlokphoto.com/

http://www.germac.ie/

http://www.macmonagle.com/

http://www.corksymphonyorchestra.com/

Arrival of the MV Julia to Cork as she sails past Blackrock Castle. (GMC Photography)

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