Newsletter - Working with writers...

Hello,

I had a student ask about working with writers recently. She wanted to know how to find and start a collaboration with them.

Most of my career I've been "assigned" a writer, meaning they came with the story I was assigned to. Sometimes because they asked for me, sometimes because I asked for them and sometimes because that is just how the logistical aspects of time and place worked out.

Working with writers can be a very exciting experience. When you are two people working with the one goal of making the best work, it can be super inspiring and the outcome often shows that. Then there are times when you work with a writer you either don't get along with or you have a different idea of what the story is, so the photos doesn't match the words. Then there are times when you work with a personality that doesn't hold the same values as you do, and that can be near impossible.

If you are interested in working with a wordsmith I'd suggest the following: Read a lot. Especially if there is something you are looking to photograph and want to collaborate with someone. When you read a lot about one topic you'll often find that there is someone out there writing a lot about that topic too.

Another way to find a writer you like is to make sure you always check the bylines of stories you enjoy reading. Once you have compiled a small list of names of writings you like, make contact with them to see if they'd be interested in collaborating with you. And you have to sell them on who you are, what your photographs are, why you are doing this particular work, because while you've been researching them, chances are they have no clue who you are. So fluff your feathers.

And you will probably get a bunch of rejections. That's ok. Grow from them and keep moving forward. Like any relationship it takes time to build.

All for now,

Kristine