Guidelines for Guest Authors & Photographers.

Guest Author Guidelines

Read the following guidelines for guest authors before asking to publish your guest article.

First, yes, we do accept guest articles and other forms of media from guest authors.

However, we reserve the right to remove articles or not accept submissions.

Articles Must Make Sense For Our Audience

Our readers come to this website for informative articles on the topic of photography. Therefore, articles need to be targeted towards one of these two types of readers:

1. Hobby photographers or aspiring pros

Write an article that appeals to photographers. However, it shouldn't just be written to sell something. So, write about any photography topic. For example, write about street photography, nature photography, or other photography subjects.

Again, be sure to write something our readers are interested in reading.

2. Photography Buyers

Target your article towards people who hire photographers. That is, target people who buy photography. Address these articles to people looking to get new headshots. Or, target those searching for event photographers, sports photographers, or commercial photographers.

Adding Commercial Links

We accept articles containing do-follow commercial links. As a rule, we don't view these as sponsored content. Nor will they be marked as such. Instead, articles which don't provide value to our readers (those purely written for the link) will be rejected. The article itself will be live as long as the website is. The cost for adding a single do-follow link is $100. That rate is non-negotiable. If this is beyond your budget we can't accept your submission.

Article Topic Guidelines

First, WDO Photography is a photography company. As such, teaching photography is a core part of what we do. So, your articles about photography are welcome. We do expect that your article is about photography. No AI written articles will be accepted.

If you're writing about a topic other than photography then it must connect. For example, if your writing about small business insurance then explain why it's important for photographers to carry said insurance.

No Articles On These Topics Are Accepted

  1. AI*
  2. Crypto
  3. Gambling or Casinos
  4. Drugs or alcohol
  5. Vaping and/or nicotine products
  6. Products or services related to adult entertainment or intimacy products
  7. Articles promoting remote psychology services (i.e. Better Help)
*Photography products that include AI (such as Topaz Labs, Adobe, etc.) are acceptable.

Sponsored Content

We work very hard to maintain quality standards. Thus, we ask you to respect them as well. Otherwise, your article won't be shared.

As such, please ensure your article is of value to our readers. If it isn't it will be rejected. Here is how you can do so:

If the article didn't have this link then ask yourself would still be worth reading? If not then don't submit it.

Quality Standards

Your guest article must provide valuable information to our readers. In addition, it needs to be easy to read. To do so use a readability checker. See below for more information.

Reading Level

If your article is at or below an 11-12 year old reading level it's more likely to be accepted. That said, if it's at or below a 13-14 year old level it may still be considered. However, if your article is above that we'll likely reject it. Check this readability test if you're unsure about your article's reading level.

Length

There is no maximum length for an article submitted to WDO Photography. However, the minimum is 300 words. That being said, we need to review all articles which isn't our primary focus in life. So, if your article is too long we may ask you to shorten and resubmit.

Additional Required Includes

In addition to your article submit a bio and photo. Otherwise, we'll reject it immediately. Your bio must be less than 200 words. Your photo must be a headshot or promotional photo. That said, good selfies are welcome. However, they must look professional.

No AI Bios

With the proliferation of AI written articles being submitted we will not tolerate fake bios, fake bio photos, or AI generated articles.

This is important - we want our readers to know whose writing they're reading. As such, you need to include this information. After all, you're a writer. Therefore, readers should be able to find your work elsewhere right? So, be sure to include a link to your portfolio. Alternatively, if you work for a marketing company then include a link to the company's website.

No AI Bio Photos

Once again, no AI images. In fact, even your bio photo will be checked. If a bio picture is found to be AI generated then the article will be rejected. Additionally, your ability to request future articles will also be blocked.

Payment Guidelines for Guest Articles

However, as an exception to our no payment rule, if we've reach out and asked you to write for us then we'll happily pay you for your content. Again, this is only if we reach out to ask you. So, if you're asking us if you can write for us then please know that your client should be the one paying you.

We encourage you to only include links if you're being paid to write about those items. Alternatively if you use and believe in said product or service and you're willing to write about them without pay then go for it.

Requested Submissions

However, as an exception to our no payment rule, if we've reach out and asked you to write for us then we'll happily pay you for your content. Again, this is only if we reach out to ask you. So, if you're asking us if you can write for us then please know that your client should be the one paying you.

We encourage you to only include links if you're being paid to write about those items. Alternatively if you use and believe in said product or service and you're willing to write about them without pay then go for it.

Guest Photographer Guidelines

WDO Photography features guest photographers under the following guidelines. First, you must include a bio. Plus, we require a write up about the work you're submitting.

Then, send a link to a gallery or folder with the photos you're looking to share. If the photos and the story is compelling they'll be shared.

We may refuse to share any submission without reason and with no explanation.

Other Photography Websites

We manage Pittsburgh.photography, LearnToTake.Pictures and Orkoskey.com. If your photos and story are determined to be a better fit there then we may share them on one of those websites. We'll ask first.

Original Photos

AI images are not photographs. Any content presented as photographs must be actual photographs. Additionally, any work found to be AI will be rejected without notice. However, you may submit work that has been slightly altered. Though, it can't feature generated AI content beyond what you could otherwise do with masking, burning/dodging, or stamp/replacement. That said, excessive amounts of this will lead to rejection.

No AI Accepted

AI images are not photographs. Any content presented as photographs must be actual photographs. Additionally, any work found to be AI will be rejected without notice. However, you may submit work that has been slightly altered. Though, it can't feature generated AI content beyond what you could otherwise do with masking, burning/dodging, or stamp/replacement. That said, excessive amounts of this will lead to rejection.

Compelling Content

Are your photos compelling content? Do you have a great story? Are the photos visually interesting? Have you done something truly unique?

Pittsburgh Photographers

Are you a photographer in Pittsburgh? If so, submit your work for review at Pittsburgh.photography. We're profiling Pittsburgh photographers and their work there.

Foreign Photographers

WDO Photography is located in Atlanta, GA and Pittsburgh, PA, USA. If you're outside the US then submit your photos to us. Our readers love seeing photos of great places to visit.

Authors Must Be Real People

As you've seen elsewhere on this page - authors must be real people. If you're working for a marketing firm churning out AI articles for link insertion your submission will be rejected. If this happens we will not follow up. Therefore, if you submit AI slop don't expect a response. Multiple submissions from AI generators will be marked as spam.

No AI Articles or Fake Authors

See the section on supplying a bio. We don't accept AI articles or work from fake authors. This is another reason why we require a bio and links to your work. We need to know that you're real. If you're not willing to prove that to us your submission will be rejected.

Guest Submission Guidelines

Submit your pitches for photos or articles below. Use the contact form to tell us what you want to share.

Only submit your pitch once. We will reply eventually if you've followed the rules laid out here. However, replying takes time. In addition, this is a full service photography business. Therefore, expect delays.

Guest Author Submission Form

Submit your pitch here. Make sure to read the guidelines above first.

Contact Me
Name
Name
First Name
Last Name