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photo ideas for magazine articles

Peggy, usually, you think of photo and illustration needs and 
possibilities at the same time as you conceive of the article, and you 
discuss it as part of your pitch or query to the editor.  An editor 
doesn't know that your article is workable until you tell him at least 
one viable plan for illustrating it that is within his means.  I've 
never heard of an author's being paid to suggest photo or illustration 
ideas.  It's just part of the job.  

I find I need to be thinking about the illustration possibilities and 
have that worked out before I can really describe a story to an editor.  
I do some of my own photography.  Sometimes I have to get a certain 
photo before I can write the article.  I also notice photos and 
photographers when I read magazines and books, and make notes whenever I 
see something that might go with future work of mine.

If the editor doesn't want to pay much (or anything) for the photos, he 
might be limited to freebies from the seed companies and nurseries.  
Certain stories can't be done at all if freebies are the only 
possibilities.  However, those photos are taken by pros, and are as good 
as can be had for certain photo needs and slots.  

For a story on groundcovers, you presumably noted major sources for the 
varieties you discuss.  (Providing a list of sources is something 
editors also expect along with an article.  That, too, is a normal part 
of the author's job.)  Any catalog with color photos of groundcovers is 
a possible source of free photos or info as to where they can be found.  
For these photos I would tell an editor the catalog and expect him to 
have someone on staff chase down the photo and photo permission.  

To round out the illustrations the article probably should have at least 
one nice landscape shot with a luxurious, vivid, sensuously inviting 
groundcover.  Where to get that one from is problematic if the editor 
won't pay anything at all for photos.  If he can pay something 
worthwhile for just one photo for the article, then you can suggest 
appropriate photos you've noted in books on landscaping, groundcovers, 
and other subjects.

Some contracts include the indication that the author will need to 
provide illustration ideas and a source list.  Others don't, but it's a 
general convention whether it is in a contract or not.  Furthermore, 
most editors will expect you to bounce ideas around and review art ideas 
and copy.  It's part of the job, and it's part of the fun of working 
with the editorial staff to get the best possible story.  

I also suggest anything else relevant about my story within the larger 
context of the whole magazine.  Would another article make a nice 
companion to mine?  If so, I suggest it.  Might certain companies be 
interested in an ad near or within my article?  The editor would love to 
hear about it early, so as to pass the word along to the advertising 
director early enough to be useful.  A magazine article is a chunk that 
fits within a bigger context.  I  figure that analyzing the larger 
context and helping the editorial staff to get the most out of my story 
is both part of the fun and part of the job.  And I pitch all these 
ideas and possibilities when I pitch the story, as part of getting the 
best deal for my story. 

Carol Deppe
Author of BREED YOUR OWN VEGETABLE VARIETIES:  THE GARDENER'S AND 
FARMER'S GUIDE TO PLANT BREEDING AND SEED SAVING (See table of contents, 
excerpts, & reviews at http://www.chelseagreen.com.)  

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