Photo Tips
IlluminAge encourages client use of photos in newsletters and other materials. You can purchase stock photography; however, it is also good to take your own digital shots. These photos will give your piece a more personal feel.
Here are some tips for taking and delivering photos:
Digital photos preferred:
- Send photos as JPGs, as individual attachments.
- The optimal resolution for clear photos is 150-300 ppi (pixels per inch). Your camera's user manual will tell you how to do this. (This article in Shooting and Sharing Digital Photos for Dummies might also be helpful.)
- One photo per e-mail works best.
- Digital photography gives you the advantage of checking the photo right away. If it could be better, take another one. (If you can't decide which shot is best, send several - we will choose the one that reproduces best.)
For all photos:
- Shots of smiling people who are obviously enjoying themselves help create the upbeat tone you want for your newsletter. Action shots add interest.
- Avoid group shots or roomfuls of people. Instead, zoom in one one or two individuals. Have people in a group stand close together. Close-ups provide the clearest detail.
- Choose light, uncluttered backgrounds when possible.
- Avoid taking photos in which the light source is in the background. In other words, you want to light up the people's faces - so stand with your back to the window or sun, not your subject's back. (For subjects with darker skin tones, this is especially important.)
- Polaroids reproduce poorly, and we do not recommend using them.
What about vintage photos?
Have you considered doing a "then and now" feature on some of your residents? People love human interest stories! We will take very good care of your vintage photos, and return them with the printed newsletters. Or better yet, scan and e-mail them to us.
Stock photos:
IlluminAge can also provide stock photos and other images suitable for a wide variety of healthcare and eldercare-related articles. Let us know if you'd like to do this.
Fill out our Getting Started Form if you would like to receive more information on IlluminAge newsletter services.