Yearbook Photojournalism: Finding the Story
March 9th, 2008
Yearbook photojournalism is often used to tell a story, at least that is the original purpose. Actually finding a story depends on the prowess of both editor and photographer. You need to know where to look. Some news is pretty obvious, but that isn´t the most interesting part of yearbook photojournalism.
The big news will be remembered for a long time to come, but you can rest assured that the side stories are the ones that will be forgotten . . . unless they are captured with yearbook photojournalism. So, when you are capturing those big stories like the school quarterback getting a scholarship, look around and see what else you can find to report on.
Sometimes there is a back story, too. Maybe people didn´t realize that the star quarterback was in a car accident as a small child and overcame great odds to learn to walk again . . . keep in mind that there are details we don´t know. Talk to the people involved and pick up the side stories, too.
Keep in mind that some of the best yearbook photojournalism involves stories that no one even knew was news. If you discover something interesting about a student or teacher, ask permission and then see if it won´t fit into the yearbook somehow. For example, you might have a yearbook photojournalism section on school heroes and cover various “heroic” acts done by students and teachers. Use your imagination to find new angles for common stories and turn them into something fascinating.
