How to Find the Right Angle in a Shoot the Press Will Run
How to spot the angle that gets a shoot featured: what editors actually look for beyond good photos, with examples photographers can use.
The angle in a press-worthy shoot is the one sentence that explains why a reader would care: a venue nobody has featured, a real couple's unusual story, or a distinct colour or styling choice. Good photography alone is not an angle; every submission an editor sees has that.
Angles that consistently work
- A venue or location that has not been featured on that outlet before.
- A strong, consistent colour or styling story across the shoot.
- Something genuinely unusual about the couple's day or story.
- A season or setting the outlet is actively looking to cover.
Angles that rarely work
'Beautiful wedding, great light' is not an angle, it is a description that fits almost every submission an editor receives. If you cannot state the angle in one sentence, it probably is not strong enough to lead a pitch.
Finding it after the fact
If you shot the day without planning for a submission, look back through for the detail an editor would actually notice: an unplanned moment, a location choice, something that would not have happened at a typical wedding at that venue.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'press angle' in a wedding pitch?
The one clear reason an editor would feature this shoot over another: an unfeatured venue, a strong styling story, or something distinct about the couple's day.
Can a shoot have more than one angle?
Yes, but lead with the strongest one. Listing several dilutes the pitch; pick the angle most likely to fit what that specific outlet publishes.
What if my shoot doesn't have a standout angle?
Not every shoot is a strong submission, and that is normal. It is usually better to wait for one with a clearer story than to pitch a generic one.
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