Yearbook photo concepts

In planning your yearbook, understand all of the elements related to photography that can impact the quality of your book.

• Candid (unposed) photos should dominate the visual coverage.
• Photographs must have strong composition to have lasting visual impact.
• Photographs need to be as technically flawless as possible.
• A variety of photography shapes and sizes are needed on most spreads.
• A variety of shooting ranges (close-up, medium, long) should be used.
• A variety of different angles will add “visual variety” to spreads and book.
• Good cropping will strengthen individual photographs.
• Using a dominant photograph that relates to headline words helps package spreads.
• Eye flow of photographs usually leads viewers into the gutter or to another element.
• Usually, bleed only one photograph in a direction on any one spread.
• Small, tightly cropped, “propless” team/group photographs are still preferred.
• Portraits needn’t be large to just show a face; keep them small and paneled.
• If color photographs are used, make sure they are quality images.
• In-depth captions extend the visual information of a photograph’s composition.
• Photographers must collect information pertinent to their submitted photographs.
• Photo credits help give photographers incentive to create thoughtful images.