They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when it comes to media coverage, the right picture is worth a thousand opportunities. If you’re aiming for magazine covers, major media placements, or even a feature article, your photos must be professional, high-quality, and properly formatted—not selfies, not flyers, and definitely not images with distracting artwork or filters.
Let’s be clear: Media outlets do not want your flyers. They want your photos.
Why Your Photo Matters
Your image is the first impression. Before anyone reads about you, they see you. A bad photo—one that’s pixelated, poorly lit, or covered in text—can instantly turn off an editor, no matter how compelling your story is. A strong, professional image makes it easy for media outlets to feature you, whether in print, online, or on television.
What NOT to Submit:
🚫 No Selfies. If your photo was taken in the car with a seatbelt on, delete it. If it was snapped in bad lighting with a front-facing camera, do not send it.
🚫 No Artwork or Graphics. Your headshot is not a flyer. It should not have your name, website, phone number, or event details plastered on it. Media outlets will add the text and branding themselves.
🚫 No Filters or Heavy Editing. The media wants to see you, not a highly filtered, airbrushed version that doesn’t look like you in real life. Keep it clean and professional.
🚫 No Cropped or Awkward Photos. A picture where your arms, shoulders, or parts of your head are cut off? A definite no. Submit a fully framed, high-res photo that can be cropped if needed.
🚫 No Low-Resolution Images. If it’s blurry, pixelated, or looks like it was taken on an old flip phone, it’s not media-worthy. High resolution only!
What You SHOULD Submit:
✅ High-Resolution Photos. A clear, sharp image that editors can use across different formats. Preferably at least 300 dpi.
✅ Both Vertical and Horizontal Shots. Some publications prefer vertical images (for magazine covers), while others need horizontal images (for websites or TV segments). Provide both.
✅ Professional, Studio-Quality Photos. Get in front of a professional photographer. Lighting, angles, and composition matter. This isn’t the time for an iPhone quick snap—invest in a photoshoot.
✅ A Clean, Background-Free Headshot (If Possible). Many outlets prefer a transparent or neutral background so they can place you in different designs. If it’s a branding shot, make sure it’s high quality and properly framed.
Want to Be on a Magazine Cover? Act Like It.
If your goal is to land on the cover of Speakers Magazine or any major publication, start with your image. Magazine covers feature powerful, professional, high-end photos—not selfies, not vacation shots, and definitely not poorly cropped pictures.
Your brand is reflected in your imagery. If you want to be seen as an expert, a leader, or a sought-after speaker, your visuals need to communicate that level of professionalism.
Finally….
When submitting photos to the media, treat it like your red-carpet moment. A high-quality, properly formatted image opens doors to better press, stronger branding, and higher visibility. Bad photos? They close doors—quickly.
So before you hit “send” on that email with your media submission, ask yourself: Would this photo make me look like the expert I am? If not, it’s time to book a professional photoshoot and get media-ready.
Because great PR starts with a great picture.
