Anyone submit work to magazines for potential publication? I do from time to time but haven't been too successful yet, thought this might be a good thread to discuss tips and shared ideas.

I'm actually preparing one right now for an upcoming wildflower article in "Our State" magazine. Deadline is 2/15/08, but I like to try and get the submission in at least a month early. I'd venture to bet the editors work on articles before the submission deadline and the sooner you can get your work in their hands, the better.

I probably should, but something tells me that most motorcycle magazines aren't looking for random submissions. I'm trying my hardest to navigate the proper channels.

And part of me feels that when major magazines offer the chance to publish freely submitted photos, they don't necessarily have that photographer's best interests in mind. More along the lines of they're looking for cheap, but quality filler to keep their costs down.

What kind of compensation are the magazines you're submitting to offering?

Originally Posted by tardypizza

I probably should, but something tells me that most motorcycle magazines aren't looking for random submissions. I'm trying my hardest to navigate the proper channels.

And part of me feels that when major magazines offer the chance to publish freely submitted photos, they don't necessarily have that photographer's best interests in mind. More along the lines of they're looking for cheap, but quality filler to keep their costs down.

What kind of compensation are the magazines you're submitting to offering?

That's a great point and something people should definitely keep in mind. But, magazines have been working off freelance submissions for a long time, the idea being that they can get higher quality images from a collective source.

For this particular magazine, "Our State", a good deal of their photography comes from paid photographers but a good portion for things like their sunsets, flowers, etc. essays comes from freelance. And at this point, my best interest is to get published, make a few bucks, and build my resume for future stuff. So, as long as I'm not getting screwed it's a win-win situation for both myself and the publisher.

As for payment, this particular one is:

$75 minimum up to $450 for a 2-page spread inside. The cover is $650, I believe. Photo credit is also given with every published image and they claim they'll forward any print/outside licensing requests they receive onto the photographer.

Not a bad deal, but yes, people need to be careful and keep themselves in mind first when dealing with magazines and other publishers.

Nice, James! Thanks for the link. I'll keep an eye out for a cheap copy.

I'll probably pick it up at some point. I feel like getting a few photography related books, might could learn something.

This is something That I have been thinking about more and more. I want to get my work out there and have never been published aside from the Visit Duluth guide (paid for photo use, no credit). Not that being published makes me special, but I would love to see my work printed in a magazine.

This is a real gem I found in a large local photo mag.

"By entering the contest, you are automatically conveying to Lake Superior Magazine, its affiliate publications and websites unlimited, nonexclusive publishing rights to each image submitted."

Check out last years winners.
http://www.lakesuperior.com/online/321/321feature.html

I'm right there with you buddy. I've been reading a lot about this lately. Sounds like for SKI shooting, they shoot all winter on their own dime, then switch to "sell mode" in the spring and start selling what they've got? Very little is commissioned work which makes it VERY tough to get into making money IMHO. I'd still love to shoot something good enough this winter to sell this spring.

I'd also love to get some surf shots maybe into some of those mags which I'd imagine take submissions more often? I have requests from a surfer and a student making a film for images though (they want either cheap or free with credit though). Then of course I'd love to get some landscape or travel shots into those kinds of magazines.