https://www.danscomp.com/

15 ways to help get your photos published by DIG

Don't be a double dipper. No editor wants to get sent scraps...

9 Apr 2015

DIg vegan

Words by Joey Spinoza Original Article printed in DIG 93 'The Photo issue' March 2013

With the ongoing demise of print and even more doors being slammed firmly shut in the face of aspiring BMX photographers we figured it was a good time to re-visit this article from our most recent photo issue. We've made a few tweaks to make things a little more relevant for the increasingly digital age but otherwise the same principles apply - If we like it we'll try to find a way to run it. Good BMX photography has been such an important part of DIG since day one and we'll continue to support photographers as much as we can. In recent times we're probably been getting more contributions than ever so fuck the mainstream view and keep the contributions coming our way. Thanks in advance for the inspiration...

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing

01. Actually include a subject line in your email. Seriously. Emails have been sent to us with nothing but a full-res JPG. Did you just expect to wake up the next day and see that photo on the front page of the site?

02. Be clear as to whether this is something for our website, our facebook instagram or for the magazine that we stopped printing over a year ago (you'd be surprised how many of those we still get). There's lots of submissions that fall in between, and it puts us in an awkward position meaning you're less likely to get no response. (mostly because we're so damn busy)

03. A shitty medium format photo does not beat out a clean digital photo. Props for shooting film, but photos don't get run for the sake of what medium they were captured on.

04. If the submitted photos catch the eye of the editor, be literate enough to follow up with an accompanying set of text and captions. "My Homie on one, that's what's up" does not cut it (not usually anyways...).

05. Don't send photos that have been posted on Tumblr, Facebook, or the killer of all photos, Instagram. If you want to see them published then keep those images on the down-low until there is no chance they are going to get run.

06. It should be obvious, but taking the no-internet-posting mandate to its next logical step, don't submit photos that have already been published in a print magazine or on another site.

07. Pander to the editor. "Hey Will, what's up? I'm just chilling here with my cats eating a vegan breakfast and listening to some old DC hardcore. Downing loads of coffee too! Weather here in Albuquerque is shit, just cloudy and rainy and cold. But what can you do. Anyway, here's this photo of my buddy getting flat down this twelve stair...." He's a sucker for that shit. (Seriously though..)

Andrew-Camera-Setup-3

08. It may also be obvious but do your research on the history of the magazine and website you're contributing to. Look at the photos in the pages contained in back issues along with the galleries on the site and see what is making the cut. Don't necessarily copy these styles, but it's a good reference point. Don't send us photos of someone we covered six months ago either and tell us "they really deserve some coverage". Do your homework.

09. Photos that comprise of an actual article idea have a much better chance of getting run than a few random photos. There are countless random photos by staff photographer's always on deck waiting for a home, so individual photos are always competing with that factor. We even have to tell Rob Dolecki some of his photos aren't going to make it sometimes. Think about that one for a minute before getting upset that your submission didn't make the cut.

10. Never make your first question about money; if that's what's you're here for then you've come to the wrong place - try that next new website that's going to change the world instead or one of the big companies that'll pull the rug from under you without a moments notice. Do it for the enjoyment of seeing something of yours published first and foremost. If your work is good and you're cool to work with then you've at least got a foot in the door.

11. Understand that unless your name is Ryan Worcester (DIG 19) or come to think of it, Connor Lodes (DIG 97), your first ever submission will probably not get used as a cover photo or anywhere in print or on our home page just yet. Keep trying though. Ask specific questions on what you can do to improve your photos. "What do you think?" is not a specific question.

12. Remember to shoot photos for the fun of it. Your motivation will show through in your photos – a bored photographer makes for boring photos.

13. Editors live for unique and exclusive content, and readers don't want to look at the same thing online across different sites. Sending exactly the same photos to multiple websites won't get you anywhere.

14. Don't be a double dipper. Provide as much info on your submission as possible, like if other photos from the same session have been sent to another site, or a similar article is being run elsewhere in print or online. No editor wants to get sent scraps.

15. Once you think you have some photos as good as or better than what you see in these pages, send 'em through. If they're good enough we'll definitely want them. Make sure the email resembles the English language in some way, and properly label the rider's name, locations, etc. Send low res JPG files to: INFO@DIGBMX.COM and as a wise man once said, hold tight - be lucky!

Previous

Next

Texas Holes

Sean Burns asks if Pool riders almost have more right to be stricter than trail diggers

Related Content

Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works
Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works
Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works
Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works

Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works

2011-2014

8 Sep 2014
Chris Marshall - Unseen Works
Chris Marshall - Unseen Works
Chris Marshall - Unseen Works
Chris Marshall - Unseen Works

Chris Marshall - Unseen Works

"When shooting a photo everyone has their process... just like when you go out riding"

13 Jan 2015
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki

2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki

15 pics from the U.S. East Coast and the West Coast, with a few Southern Hemisphere snaps for good measure...

1 Jan 2015
21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery
21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery
21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery
21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery

21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery

A little BMX History Lesson....

26 Nov 2014
George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014
George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014
George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014
George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014

George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014

The one that got away...

7 Nov 2014
Vince Perraud  - Unseen Works
Vince Perraud  - Unseen Works
Vince Perraud  - Unseen Works
Vince Perraud  - Unseen Works

Vince Perraud - Unseen Works

22 hidden gems from our French photographic master

18 Mar 2015
Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014
Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014
Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014
Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014

Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014

The misfits, extras, new, old, and anything else fit for eyes from the past two years of pointing glass and metal at moving targets.

24 Sep 2014
CULT CREW X DIG CREW -  The First 5 Years
CULT CREW X DIG CREW -  The First 5 Years
CULT CREW X DIG CREW -  The First 5 Years
CULT CREW X DIG CREW -  The First 5 Years

CULT CREW X DIG CREW - The First 5 Years

50 Photos from the DIG Archives

1 Apr 2015
https://www.profileracing.com/

Latest Content

R Ryqq4 F Pg Xghqdefault
Play Button

Checking In With Kilian Roth - Source BMX

At home in Ravensburg, Germany

9 May 2025
C0 G Unj H b I4hqdefault
Play Button

MIR NG - "TAIWANS GOT IT"

DIG LOCALS

8 May 2025
Xz0 VK8 Pt2zshqdefault
Play Button

'CHICAGRE'

Grenoble, France

7 May 2025
Renato relapse thumb
Play Button

RENATO RANCSO - 'RELAPSED' | LUXBMX

Welcome To LUX!

5 May 2025
7 JQEG Vlz Iq Ahqdefault
Play Button

TOM MARSH - INTERVIEWS EP3 - BMX Direct Thailand

Scotland in Thailand

5 May 2025
It Hsd B Fav Qkhqdefault
Play Button

Dennis Enarson Game of Bike: Jason Watts Vs. Kevin Peraza

High level heaters at Clairemont

2 May 2025
Michael dickson x dig thumb
Play Button

MICHAEL DICKSON X DIG

Whip it real good

1 May 2025
HR55 De6 DEQ4hqdefault
Play Button

Sietse van Berkel - Thread - 2025

Signature style from one of the best.

1 May 2025
Zqqpc P1 Xpu Ehqdefault
Play Button

KINK - Best Of THIRTY Compilation

Choice cuts

1 May 2025
Lqi T5 W Wue Gkhqdefault
Play Button

Launch Box - Spring 2025 - A Profile Mixer

Spring season randomness

1 May 2025
Upa XUT1r Ctkhqdefault
Play Button

CONCRETE PARADISE

ft. Jack Hennicke, Willem Jorgensen & Kevin Bass

30 Apr 2025
Kx6 Pew BD2 V Ahqdefault
Play Button

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025
Expert Top 3 Roll On crop

REPO: Keeping it local at the UK 'ROLL ON' Flatland Jam

"My desire was to give something back" – Mike O'Connell

5 Mar 2025
Snow Fight – Naoki Gaman2

20 Tips For Surviving Simple Session 2025

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

20 Feb 2025
SS finals samples 4

SIMPLE SESSION 25 WRAP UP

Highlight videos, results and more

19 Feb 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

18 Feb 2025
Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

AVAILABLE VIA THESE BIKE SHOPS AND DISTROS

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024