Sourcing Local Photography on Social Media

Search for Relevant Hashtags and Locations:

• Use hashtags like #FranklinLifestyle, #FranklinEvents, #FranklinTN to discover user-generated content (UGC).
• Search for popular locations (e.g., “Nashville Zoo”) and sort images by “Recent” to find timely and relevant posts.

Check DMs and Tags:

• Review your magazine’s Direct Messages and Tagged Posts/Stories for content from readers who have tagged your magazine at local events or destinations.

Verify Image and User Suitability:

• Ensure the image and user are appropriate for print by referencing your Content Policies to avoid any issues with quality, permissions, or appropriateness.

Request Permission to Use the Image:

• Send a Direct Message (DM) from your magazine’s social media account. Use the following example:

Hi there! We are curating images for our monthly “City Scene” column. We love this photo and would like to ask for permission to use it in our magazine. We’ll credit you as the photographer! If you’re okay with that, please send us the original image. If you are not the original photographer, could you please let us know who is? Thank you!

Obtain the Original Image:

• Ask the user to supply their original image via DM to ensure print quality and maintain a record of their permission.

Determine Placement in the Magazine:

• Keep in mind that Instagram images are generally only suitable for:
  • Local Experiences
  • Business Monthly
  • City Scene