All jobs come with territories. Each job has certain elements that repeatedly find a way into daily conversations. Take a bank teller, for example. Everyday a bank teller shows up and takes customer after customer, only to hear this question time and time again, "What's my account number?" It's like clockwork. But the fact is, every job out there has that one question that will come into play everyday. For us magazine editors, the most common question we hear is, "How do I get my truck in the magazine?"
Although it is such a simple question, there is more than meets the eye. For the most part, the procedure is pretty cut and dry, but there are several scenarios. The first one, which is the most common, is an editor sees a truck and likes it. When we head out for a show, oftentimes the main goal is to pull some features. The majority of the time we head into the gates with a premeditated game plan. Usually we will be looking for trucks that we're running low on. For example, say our feature stock is running low on '73-and-up Chevys; we will keep a look out for that model truck to shoot. However, that doesn't mean our lenses won't shoot at anything else, because we can shoot anything that suits our fancy. Painted, not painted, Ford, Chevy, International, Diamond T, it really doesn't matter-if we like it, we shoot it. Other times we may be driving down the road, see a truck, and leave a business card. Now, obviously that's the easiest way, but don't be fooled that the only way you can get in the magazine is by in-person encounters.
The other way, which is a proactive method of getting your ride in the magazine, is to actually get in touch with us. Whether it's by e-mail, snail mail, our Web site message board, one of those Dove messenger birds, Morse code, or any other possible means, actually contact us instead of waiting to see if we run into you. When I say get a hold of us, don't just call us up and say, "What do I do next"; instead, get a game plan together following these few guidelines. Be prepared to tell us a little bit about the truck, which I'm sure shouldn't be a problem. In fact, from what I've experienced, that's the least of anyone's problems! On top of that, look to see what major shows are in your area that you might attend. If it's a show we go to, there's a chance we can pre-schedule something and hook up at the show to shoot your truck. And lastly, this is the most important step: make sure you have some quality pictures of your truck. Digital or prints don't matter. Just make sure the truck is basically the only thing in the photo. We want to see the truck, not everything else, so we can get a clear look at things. As a side note, if you're going to send us prints, make sure they are on quality paper. For example, if you have downloaded some digital pictures onto your computer, print them on quality photo paper! Don't print them on typing paper, because the problem there is oftentimes the photos aren't clear enough for us to get a good look at your truck. On top of that, why would you want to sell your truck short by printing it on low-quality paper?
Now say everything is going as planned and we'd like to shoot your truck, but can't shoot it ourselves. Well, you have two options. Number one is to find a photographer to shoot your truck and then submit those photos to us. Now, of course, this photographer has to be willing to sign release forms and such, but usually that's not a problem. Your second option is to take matters into your own hands and try to duplicate what you see in the magazine features. Take your truck and find a location, and then you, yes you, take a camera and shoot away. If it's a film camera, send us the color chromes. If you're going to shoot digital, send us a disc; however, if you are going to shoot digital, be sure the camera is set on the highest resolution-we require 300dpi, to be exact. Other than that, get to it. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!