How to get Published in a Magazine in 5 Steps
(Written for howtobesocial.blog - link to original post here)
If you’re like me, and you have a passion for fashion and beauty photography, you’ve probably been inspired by magazines at one point in your creative journey, and maybe even have the desire to be published in a magazine.
If that’s your dream but you have no idea where to start, I have compiled a step-by-step process for getting published. Whether you’re a creative director, photographer, stylist, model, or makeup artist, you can submit to be published — as long as you have the written permission of the photographer.
To be honest, I get a lot of satisfaction every time I get published. It’s like getting a little medal for my work, some validation.
Shout out to Jamie House, who taught me earlier this year how to get published, and lit the fire inside me to create editorial work.
I feel confident enough to tell you how to accomplish this because since I learned how to submit, I’ve been published 12 times as a photographer, plus some as a model and makeup artist collaborating with others. I want to share this with anyone who has been looking for creative motivation and inspiration.
Step One: Know Your Resources
My number one advice when trying to get published is to sign up for kavyar.com. Create a portfolio of your favorite photos you’ve been a part of creatively, whether you’re a photographer, model, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, etc. Indicate who is the copyright owner, even if it’s you (it’s required for every picture you upload and submit).
Make sure you upload photos you don’t want to submit; they’re considered published once posted on any social media or digital platform. Look through the selection of national and international magazines of Kavyar and check out their minimum look requirements, themes, due dates, inspiration, and credit format to see what is compatible with your time and style.
Write down your favorites and their due dates, and keep them in mind when planning shoots.
Sizing requirements are usually 8.5×11 or 11×14 with 300 pixels, which you can adjust in Photoshop or Lightroom.
Shoot at the highest resolution possible, because when photos are blown up to be printed, you want to make sure they don’t get blurry or distorted.
Step Two: Be Organized and Specific
Plan shoots specifically for submission. If you have a magazine in mind you want to submit to with a theme, make sure you shoot with plenty of time to edit before the due date. Make sure you and your team have enough time during the shoot between makeup, shooting and styling to achieve all the looks you need to submit. Magazines usually require at least 3 makeup or outfit looks, or a fashion story, for an editorial to be accepted. Have some poses in mind that go with the theme and garments. Photographers and models — work with stylists or designers and makeup and hair artists.
Getting published is an incentive to collaborate for everyone involved, so let everyone know beforehand that the
shoot will be for submission. Not only does it encourage everyone involved to do their best, but it makes sure the team is committed and excited. Make sure to get the brands of clothing used by the stylist for submission, as well as the whole team’s emails and social media. Through Kavyar, magazines will send you “tear sheets,” or free copies of your published editorial.
