The Right Way to Travel
Edited by Lori Appling in Arlington, VA.
"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." -- Anthony Brandt
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Today:
*** Birthday Parties, Weddings, and Baptisms: How (and Where) to Sell Your Special-Event Photos
*** Can You Write a Simple Letter?
*** Practical Writing Prompt of the Week: Avoiding Airport Lines
*** Reader Feedback: Thanks to what I learned, I am now a regularly published freelance journalist for the Sunday Times of Malta -- the largest circulation paper in the country.
*** More Opportunities and Resources for Writers
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Dear Reader,
We talk a lot in this newsletter about taking pictures of everyday household items -- like chairs, curtains, even your pet goldfish -- and selling them to online stock agencies. But not-so-everyday pictures sell well online, too...
Take my upcoming wedding, for instance. Professional photographer, Shelly Perry, will be there and I've already agreed to sign a model release for her.
I'm not paying Shelly to be my wedding photographer, but I know she'll be snapping a lot of pictures. As a stock photographer, I suspect she'll take pictures of my veil, our rings, the flowers in my hand, my shoes, the train of my dress, the mirror I use to put my makeup on, the candles on the table at lunch, our champagne glasses, a slice of wedding cake, etc.
And I have to say -- I'm pretty excited about the idea of having pictures of my wedding in her portfolio at Istockphoto.com. You never know who will buy those pictures and where they might show up. Pictures from Shelly's Istock portfolio have appeared on magazine covers, websites, and once she opened up an in-flight magazine to find a picture of hers on an ad inside.
So Shelly's likely to make a little cash from my wedding. And you can bet I'll send my family and friends to her portfolio to order pictures, too.
My point is: You don't have to be a hired wedding photographer to turn a friend's wedding into spare dough. You don't have to ask the lucky couple to sign a release, either (if you don't want to, that is). Most of the pictures I described above -- the veil, the flowers, a slice of wedding cake -- you don't need a release for.
Not only that, but taking stock shots is fun. Before now, I'd have taken my camera to a wedding and possibly snapped a few pictures of friends and a couple of the bride and groom. Next time I attend a friend's wedding, though, I'll have much more fun looking for wedding-specific stock shots. You can bet I'll keep my eye on the place settings, the gift table, the candy-covered almonds.
So, the next time you're attending a special event -- a child's baptism, a birthday party, a wedding -- think stock shots. Here are some practical tips for capturing truly salable ones. Read...
** Wednesday's photo tip on photographing themes and concepts: http://tinyurl.com/2lxpt7
** The March 10 issue on what stock agencies pay and how to break in: http://tinyurl.com/33yqro
And review these simple, easy-to-use tips for improving your photos: http://tinyurl.com/343f8j
Tomorrow, I'm going to send you even more information about breaking into online stock agencies. After reading one of our articles on that subject, reader Kathy Burns-Millyard put our advice to the test. It worked. In tomorrow's article, you'll find out which agencies work best for her... which ones pay the most... and which pictures she thinks you should pay special attention to before you submit them.
Stay tuned. And if you're still hemming and hawing over joining us in Paris, let me just say, I've got a few surprises planned for the group -- like a walking tour with the famous writer-historian, Thirza Vallois... a special lunch with career counselor, Valerie Young... and some great France survival skills from long-time resident Susi Seguret, who's going to show you how to become French in five easy steps: the language, the gestures, the look, the formalities, and the food.
Not only that, but this workshop is an opportunity to see Paris through new eyes. After experiencing Paris with us as a travel writer or photographer -- I guarantee you'll never travel the same way again.
This event promises to be a great way to not only hone your skills in travel writing or photography, but it's an opportunity to see Paris in a way tourists never could.
Paris is always our hottest destination and we typically sell out before the early bird discount expires (which gives you 10 more days to sign up -- and save $300). I guarantee -- it'll be a trip you never forget.
I hope to see you there.
-- Lori
Lori Appling
Director, AWAI's Travel Division
P.S. Don't forget to scroll down for today's writing prompt.
P.P.S. Know a friend or two who'd enjoy the freedom and independence of a writer's or photographer's life? They, too, can sign up to receive this free e-letter here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com.
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PRACTICAL WRITING PROMPT OF THE WEEK:
There's a good, short article in this month's National Geographic Traveler titled, "How to Conquer: Long Airport Lines."
Here's some of the advice the author offers up...
** Use the kiosks -- Infrequent travelers often feel more comfortable talking to an agent than using the automatic machines. Therefore, you'll see long lines at the desks but not at the kiosks.
** Join a club -- Airlines' frequent flyer programs often come with the added bonus of being able to use the first-class check-in lines, which are shorter.
** Look for business travelers -- Folks traveling on business are often frequent flyers and know all the short-cuts. Watch what they do and follow suit.
** Use your phone -- When your flight is canceled, call the airline rather than wait in line. They'll likely rebook you faster and you won't have to wait with everyone else.
This article, found in National Geographic Traveler's April 2007 issue, is just eight paragraphs long. Each paragraph is devoted to a separate tip.
You could easily write something like this. In fact, there's an article in last month's Travel Post Monthly just like it, titled, "Lost Luggage: Eight Ways to Ease the Trauma" http://travelpostmonthly.com
If you have advice to share, work it into a travel article this weekend and send it to the Travel Post Monthly. You might just land your next by-line.
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READER FEEDBACK:
Hi Lori!
Thanks to what I learned from two travel writing workshops (Paris & the cruise down to Mexico a couple of years ago) and the photography workshop in Greece -- I, who had no idea what I was going to do next -- am now a regularly published freelance journalist for the Sunday Times of Malta, largest circulation paper in the country.
I live and work on/from Gozo, Malta's sister island. And I actually came here thanks to the enticing writing and workshops of Steenie Harvey describing the island for International Living.
Last week, Circle Magazine -- largest circulation magazine in the country -- published my story on what to do at Easter time on Gozo...in addition to going to church in this 95% Catholic country, of course.
And this Sunday, the Sunday Times is publishing my article on Easter Saturday. What goes on during the one totally non-religious day of the long Easter week? Good works, efforts to help nonprofit organizations, it turns out, and I'm covering five of them.
Last year, around this time, you may recall, I was assigned to cover the first trip of the new Bishop of Gozo to New York and Washington DC. What a thrill to return home as a fully credentialed, press pass-protected journalist!
All of these articles are lavishly illustrated with my photographs, for which you all get credit but do not have to take responsibility. Sometimes I cut off part of the Bishop's hat or somebody's feet. At least, now I know better.
Anyway, have a wonderful wedding in Paris that I'm sorry I'm going to miss. I'm actually traveling back to Puerto Vallarta to see if that's my next port of call.
Cheers & great fond regards!
Barbara
[ED. NOTE: If you'd like to follow Barbara's lead and turn your passion for travel into an income-earning endeavor, join us in Paris this May 16-19, and discover the city in the company of professional writers and photographers (with guest appearances by Thirza Vallois, Valerie Young, Susi Seguret, and others): http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/paris2007]
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OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:
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* CAN YOU RETIRE AND GET PAID TO TRAVEL?:
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* 5,102 OF THE WORLD'S MOST FASCINATING PLACES: http://www.isecureonline.com/Reports/120SWBST/W120H1AI
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The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends.
It is coming to you because you are either a member of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program or Turn Your Pictures into Cash, or you have opted to receive information about getting paid to travel from the AWAI Travel Division.
(c) 2007 American Writers & Artists Inc.
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