Seven years ago, Metro (Boston) Unit photo editor Jim Walker took photos of fourth and fifth graders and asked them the classic question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" With many of them graduating this year, Walker checked back in with them. The result: a fascinating photo essay.
Here's how Walker did it, in his own words: "I think the key with this was to ask the school early. Give them plenty of time to inform the students and find a day that worked for the school. If you have a good idea and the deadline for it is a few week's off, don't wait to get the ball rolling. Those weeks will disappear in a hurry and then you'll be scrambling.
"And when asking to do a project like this, be very clear with what you need. In this case, I needed space at the school to create a small photo studio and time with specific students. Once the school administration knew exactly what I needed and realized that I wasn't asking for very much, they got it together in a heartbeat. It turned from being a possible inconvenience for a busy school to an experience that students and staff and I really enjoyed."
Granted, it's hard right now to think seven years into the future, but think back to stories or projects you've done in the past and see if it's time for a fun or serious update.
That elementary school building project that you covered with the ground breaking 10 years ago - is it bursting at the seams now? Are all the same teachers there? Where is that first kindergarten class now?
Take a look back into your archives - I'm sure you've done a Top Student and a Top Athlete feature many, many times. Where are they now? Pull together a photo gallery of old photos and current ones.
Or think about this - you're building galleries right now of the Class of 2012. Pick a few to follow and check in with at critical dates - 1 year, 5 years, etc.
As a cub reporter, one of the first stories I ever wrote was about a litte boy who fell under the ice on a cranberry bog and was rescued after much too long a time - miraculously still alive. I know he ended up entering kindergarten with his peer group, which means he'd now be graduating from college. I'd love to do a follow up story with him and his family.
Surely there's those kinds of stories in every newsroom that can turn into heartwarming, interesting, affecting stories for your readers today.
Seven years ago, Metro (Boston) Unit photo editor Jim Walker took photos of fourth and fifth graders and asked them the classic question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" With many of them graduating this year, Walker checked back in with them. The result: a fascinating photo essay.
Here's how Walker did it, in his own words: "I think the key with this was to ask the school early. Give them plenty of time to inform the students and find a day that worked for the school. If you have a good idea and the deadline for it is a few week's off, don't wait to get the ball rolling. Those weeks will disappear in a hurry and then you'll be scrambling.
"And when asking to do a project like this, be very clear with what you need. In this case, I needed space at the school to create a small photo studio and time with specific students. Once the school administration knew exactly what I needed and realized that I wasn't asking for very much, they got it together in a heartbeat. It turned from being a possible inconvenience for a busy school to an experience that students and staff and I really enjoyed."
Granted, it's hard right now to think seven years into the future, but think back to stories or projects you've done in the past and see if it's time for a fun or serious update.
That elementary school building project that you covered with the ground breaking 10 years ago - is it bursting at the seams now? Are all the same teachers there? Where is that first kindergarten class now?
Take a look back into your archives - I'm sure you've done a Top Student and a Top Athlete feature many, many times. Where are they now? Pull together a photo gallery of old photos and current ones.
Or think about this - you're building galleries right now of the Class of 2012. Pick a few to follow and check in with at critical dates - 1 year, 5 years, etc.
As a cub reporter, one of the first stories I ever wrote was about a litte boy who fell under the ice on a cranberry bog and was rescued after much too long a time - miraculously still alive. I know he ended up entering kindergarten with his peer group, which means he'd now be graduating from college. I'd love to do a follow up story with him and his family.
Surely there's those kinds of stories in every newsroom that can turn into heartwarming, interesting, affecting stories for your readers today.
