Everything is Yellow

Audrie Lawrence, people.com’s Photo editor

Check out her site: Audrie Lawrence

Regarding portfolio drop offs and direct mailers…. What works and what doesn’t?

I think direct mailers are more effective. Photographers were way more likely to get jobs and meetings from me off of a promo vs a book drop off.

What is the best way that you prefer to be contacted?

I like email providing it has no attachments. Quickest way to get me to throw away your promo is to attach something to an email. Time Inc. still has a 20 megabyte limit on our emails so I can’t afford to have the box filled with promos.

What is the most exciting shoot/story you’ve ever worked on?

I’ll go with visually challenging. I was working on a story about Caroline Kennedy’s children’s book release. We were given the opportunity to photograph her for the story. I selected photographer Erika Larsen

to shoot the portrait knowing that she’d make something really beautiful, the catch.. we had 20 minutes with Caroline, no styling, and we needed to shoot her in the TIME-LIFE Building.

Anytime a photographer has shoot in an office building it’s an enormous challenge. Add to that challenge, Erika shoots 4×5

available light so, location was going to be key. At the end we found a conference room with some good sun exposure.. borrowed a red chair from my coworkers office and made something really lovely.

What makes for a disappointing shoot that you aren’t 100 % happy with?

Communication is key and the most disappointing shoots I’ve ever had were when communication broke down. The clarity of my vision along with the needs of the story must gel with photographers style, personality, and voice. I love when photographers produce something that’s special to them on assignment and 9 out of 10 times that’s what we’d print but, the biggest disappointment is sometimes when the photographers doesn’t deliver what I and the art director have asked for. Options are a necessity.

What do freelancers do that you find annoying that you wish would stop?

Sending attachments. As I said before, mailbox limitations make it a real
challenge and I’d prefer to keep photographers emails in my cue so that I
can go back to them later. If there is an attachment I need to delete or
archive the promo immediately and out of sight, out of mind. One other thing not really under the category of annoying but a little advice. I realize
it’s hard to figure out what editor is where as it seems like publishing is
a constant game of musical chairs however, making a little effort will allow
photographers to not appear foolish. I’ve been kicking around Time Inc. for
over 8 years and I’ve been at my current title for almost 3. It’s better to
try to figure that out before soliciting me specifically for a meeting at my last magazine.

What do you look for in a portfolio?

I’m not always looking for anything in particular when I look at a portfolio. I’m interested in all manner of photography and I just like to look. When
attempting to get assignments I think it’s important that photographers
present a cohesive book. Represent your style, your technique, and your
love of your craft.

To get a better understanding of your job and responsibility can you take us through a trip in the day in the life of an photo editor.

I’m currently editing for People.com. I work specifically on the StyleWatch
section

9 am – 12 pm.

9am- Go thru all photos that have come in via agency since the last
afternoon. I see anywhere between 10 and 25,000 images before 10 am.
10:15 last nights looks meeting
10:30 edit and production of first gallery of the day

12pm
Gallery goes live

12 – 3 pm

Resarch, edit, and produce tomorrow’s galleries
lunch, facebook, blog reading

3 – 6 pm

rinse repeat plus research for tomorrow
6 – 9 pm

photo events, production of upcoming heartart shows, consulting
with photographers, gym…

What’s the effect digital is having on your work?

At people.com it’s all digital. I miss film.

What percentage of your photographers still shoot film?

Of the photographers I pick up material from for people.com 0%, for those I consult with 20%. I still know quite a few photographers that are shooting film on assignment as some magazines don’t want to pay what it takes to do medium format digital right.

If Obama were to elect a Secretary for the Arts what do you think that person should do?

Create programs to keep art and music in the schools, make available information to artists and organizations on how to apply for and receive grants to perpetuate their art.

Everything is Yellow closing questions…

What did you have for breakfast?

Whole wheat everything bagel with cream cheese

And

What are you doing tomorrow?

Going to the New York beard and mustache competition.