When newsmakers show up in The Kansas City Star often, readers can grow accustomed to their faces. But sharp eyes discern that all photographs aren’t equal.
A caller Thursday thought that two recent pictures of a prominent local politician, taken by a Star staffer, looked markedly different from images that appear elsewhere, both in campaign ads and sometimes in the paper.
“I’m just wondering what your policy is for photos like this,” she said. “Does The Star only print pictures that politicians officially approve of?”
No, but there’s no hard and fast newsroom policy here. Politicians and entertainers usually distribute portraits of their own personal choice to media outlets. Newspapers keep these photos on file and run them in print, usually in rotation with pictures taken by staff photographers.
However, editors should always make sure that these “handout” photos generally reflect the individuals’ appearance accurately. They should especially pay attention to details like hairstyle and eyeglasses to assure that they’re up to date.
Obviously, everybody likes flattering photos. Few of us would purposely mail out a vacation snapshot taken when our eyes were closed or our mouths contorted.
But I’d also certainly agree that some official portraits are generously lit, posed and Photoshopped to a point that stretches credulity. In fact, I’ve seen examples of pictures that were so far from reality that editors wisely declined to run them at all.
“I would encourage the paper to use a truthful photo all the time,” the caller said. “Update your photos, or even use file photos, but they have to reflect the current look of the person.”
I can’t imagine anyone disagreeing with that advice.
Praise for good news
As readers sometimes remind me, I tend to focus on the negatives in this column. That’s the job, of course — sometimes to the chagrin of the newsroom.
But when I hear a lot of compliments for a single article, it’s always worth noting here, too.
Many readers contacted me with praise for Joe Robertson’s story May 14 about John Bryde, a 49-year-old south Kansas City Postal Service worker.
Bryde was mentioned prominently in another story last month about Lois Mayes, a teacher who did pioneering work with special-education students in the Kansas City School District. She fondly remembered “Johnny,” who was particularly good with details and numbers.
“Finding Johnny and hearing that he’s led a distinguished career — well, that was a beacon of light in this sea of depressing news we always hear,” said a caller.
“Just wonderful,” said another. “I know you have to report the bad stuff, but I hope The Star remembers there’s good news every day too.”
