Titles and keywords for editorial images

Continuing the deep dive into effective keyword selection. Earlier, in the first part titled “Keywords and sales: why correct selection matters” and the second part “Choosing the right keywords. Part 2“, various methods were discussed for selecting keywords to increase demand for images and boost sales on stock photo sites. This article covers how to properly name editorial images and choose keywords for them.

First, a reminder of what editorial images are. Editorial images – these are images not intended for commercial use.

Primarily, such images are used in newspapers, magazines, news and online media, educational materials, and so on. Stock editorial images often include people captured as they are in real life (unlike staged commercial stock photos).

These editorial photos are more unique and specific than commercial stock images. Buyers of editorial images need “believable” photos, not standard studio shoots with models or simple backgrounds.

Model releases for editorial photographs are not required as long as the photos are used only for educational or informational purposes.

How to properly title editorial photos?

(note: for this article, the terms “title” and “description” are used as synonyms)
Usually, photographers have more room for creativity when inventing a photo title than when choosing keywords. But editorial images are an exception.

As more news agencies turn to microstocks to illustrate their stories, accuracy in the title of an editorial image is critical.

For this purpose, a mandatory headline format is established for editorial images. For newsworthy editorial photos with long‑term value, the image title should include key identifiers such as Who, What, Where, and When.

That is, the image title must clearly and simply explain what events are captured. Write facts only – accuracy is very important. Be concise and to the point. Use no more than 200 characters in the title, including spaces.

Here is an example of an editorial image with an appropriate title:

Note that the date always comes at the beginning of the title, as does the location where everything takes place. In the sample photo, it starts with “JACKSON, NJ – JUNE 8”. Even if it seems redundant, always put the location and date first.

For photos taken in major world cities such as Los Angeles, New York, or London, the country or state does not need to be included in the title, only in the description.

Examples:

• LOS ANGELES – JUNE 8: Singer Deborah Harry performs onstage at Six Flags Great Adventure June 8, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
• LONDON – JUNE 8: Singer Deborah Harry attends a charity benefit June 8, 2008 in London, England.

If uploading an editorial image taken on June 8 in Sydney, Australia, the title will look like this: SYDNEY – JUNE 8.

For a motocross photo that took place on June 8 in Sydney, Australia, the description could be: John Doe of Australia participates in the Extreme Motocross Event June 8, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (An unidentified participant in an extreme motocross event. The event took place on June 8, 2008 in Sydney, Australia).

Now combine the date and description, and an ideal editorial photo headline emerges:

SYDNEY – JUNE 8: John Doe of Australia participates in the Extreme Motocross Event June 8, 2008 in Sydney, Australia.

Again, keep the title under 200 characters (including spaces). For more detailed requirements for editorial images, please refer to the stock site’s support forum.

Editorial images of children

Editorial images of children, like all editorial images, must have news value (domestic or international). Please use the examples above when creating titles for such images.

Attention: be sure to include the child’s name, age, and place of residence-these are required for editorial images of children.

Example title for a newsworthy editorial image of a child:

CHARLOTTE – JUNE 8: John Doe, 8, from Charlotte, N.C., cools off in a spray of mist at the Zoo June 8, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Temperatures were at record highs.

Remember that without a proper title/headline, stock sites will simply reject all editorial images.

One last tip: think like a photojournalist when creating a title. Don’t forget details and keep it concise.

Choosing keywords for editorial images

Most hints and tips from Shutterstock about proper keyword selection for commercial images can also be applied to editorial images.

The previous two articles on keyword selection can be revisited and the advice used to choose keywords for editorial photos (Editorial images).

Still, here are a few more tips to remember when selecting keywords for editorial images.

Despite the strict structure for editorial photo titles, titles generally do not participate in search. Therefore, keywords must be chosen carefully for maximum relevance.

For example, say there is a photo of Barack Obama against a blue sky. Who might need this image? Most likely someone searching for a photo of Barack Obama, not someone looking for a blue sky. There’s the clue: the words Barack, Obama and “Barack Obama” fit. And blue and sky? Not so much!

When entering proper names into the keyword list, include them both in quotes and without. Returning to Barack Obama, use the words “Barack Obama” and also Barack Obama without quotes.

The same applies to locations. If an editorial photo was taken in a place that should be mentioned in the press, that place name is an excellent keyword-both with and without quotes (“Radio City Music Hall” and Radio City Music Hall, for example).

Final tip: there is always an option to double‑check and change keywords at any time. Simply sign in to the stock site, find the image by its ID, and click the pencil icon. This allows not only editing the keywords and the image title, but also changing the watermark position on the image.

Author: Shutterbuzz
Original source: buzz.shutterstock.com/keywording/good-keywords-sell-part-3