Photojournalists are essential for a schools success. They get the 'every picture tells a thousand words' to the general population.

Photojournalists are responsible for getting the best photos they can for their particular media outlets. Photos, like pictures, tell a thousand words - hence you need the best photo possible for your circumstances. Photojournalists will most likely have good ideas to best represent the image you or they want covered.

Photo sessions are usually enjoyable times for all involved. It is not often that people appear in the media.

The photojournalist usually works with the journalist who is covering the story. Yet it is often the photojournalist who decides which photos will be used.

There will be times when the media outlet only wants a photo and just sends a photojournalist. At other times you will need to arrange for interviews and photos at the same or similar times. However, at other times, the interview may happen over the telephone and the photo taken at a separate time. Even though most stories require a photo, sometimes it is not required.

Own Professional or Business Photos

There may also be times when the media outlet is quite happy for you to send your own photos by email instead of having the photojournalist come out.

This usually happens after the outlet appreciates the quality and content of your professional or business photos and the professionalism of your photographers.

This is more common with the smaller publications, or for photos accompanying editorial in special features and for advertising.

Rest assured that the outlets will invariably send out a photographer if you feel you need one.

Marketing Manager and the Photojournalist

The Marketing Manager, or selected well informed staff member, needs to attend all photo sessions. The Marketing Manager should treat it as an enjoyable time and it most likely will end up being so.

You are free to offer suggestions, though the final decision does rest with the photojournalist. Their employer is their media outlet (and not your business) and hence the photo taken is what they want. However, in most cases, the photojournalist is working with you and for the profession or business to be seen in the best light.

It is in their best interests to work with you for many reasons, including the media outlet's need for a good standing in the community. They will also possibly want photos, reactions or stories from your profession, business or field down the track. However, if you are being unfairly obstructive, then follow-up photos for other stories at other times may be few and far between.

For specific details of the unique school situation for dealing with photojournalists see Photojournalists and Schools - Duty of Care.

Teachers are highly qualified professionals who should seriously consider writing their own book or e-book. This blog post considers 7 key challenges and solutions to help make this a most enjoyable and rewarding task.

Writing your first book is one of life's most pleasurable experiences! All the time, thought, effort and creativity finally becomes very worthwhile. When the book finally sells is equally, or even more, exciting! Then you see your first pay-check from the publisher / book seller or from your website's online store - WOW!

I have written 6 nonfictional books, 5 of which are currently sold as e-books. The following are some of the experiences I have gained over the past few years.

What could possibly go wrong with the whole process of writing / publishing / marketing / selling, etc? Heaps - in fact! But don't initially be turned off by these. Be aware of the challenges and be prepared to meet these head-on. However, after becoming fully informed, and if you feel it is not right for you, it is probably best to let go and may be try another challenge awaiting you.

Seven key challenges and solutions are:

1. The average author makes very little income out of book sales. Now this must be a cause for serious consideration. Most authors do not make a living out of writing - at the best it supplements their income. At the worst the whole experience ends up costing them money. Hence, the theme you write about, as well as the quality of your writing, is critical. Along with these, you will also need a good publication method and marketing campaign. Sometimes authors do not expect any serious income but are just content with the option of writing for themselves and a few others.

2. The time commitment is considerable. It is virtually a part-time occupation spread over many weeks and months. Most authors either write in small to medium hourly segments of time over a long period, or in weekly blocks over time. This depends on individual circumstances.

3. Publishing is difficult as each major publishing company has thousands of new manuscripts or books at their disposal each year. Your work needs to have quality, be controversial or be very creative, or meet a specific niche, etc. Try a variety of companies and do not forget the e-book sellers. (See below.)

4. Self publishing is another option - yet one which usually also has a considerable financial cost associated. Having a substantial number of hard copies printed is expensive as is the cost of getting these to market - not to mention the considerable amount of time and marketing skills needed. However, if you are well prepared and funded, this may work for you, especially if you have contacts within the industry who can offer advice and lead you on the way.

5. Creative publishing methods are becoming more accessible through the internet these days. For hard copies of books you may also try creative selling methods e.g. eBay or Amazon's CreateSpace. At the time of writing, the CreateSpace option allows for Amazon to assist with the formatting, publishing and sales process considerably, but at a cost dependent on how much assistance you need.

6. E-Book sales through your own website are becoming more popular and usually for less expense. You will need to create, or have created, your own website, as well as having the electronic shopping facilities integrated within your site. There are many companies which offer this option, see Yahoo, for example. One of the major challenges of this option is getting your website visited very regularly, which usually means it is high on the search engines, e.g. Google, Yahoo, etc. Search Engine Optimization (S.E.O.) is the key concept needing a full understanding to be successful here.

7. Try blogging - it's usually FREE! To meet the inherent personal need to write, which we authors have, and save on the expense, you may like to try blogging. There are so many sites now which open up a whole new world for authors - try the WordPress and Blogger websites for starters. You may even make money directly or indirectly out of these opportunities. You may become well-known as an expert on a particular topic and searched out for this expertise. Or you may place affiliate or Google Ads, etc., on your blog.

The joy of writing sometimes supersedes the need to make a profit. For most authors, this unfortunate lack of profit is an inevitable consequence. I have personally enjoyed my experience these past few years and intend continuing this creative pursuit.