Multimedia Journalism
Creative Elements for Niche Audiences
Photography — Video — Post Production — Writing — Design
Photo by Michael Yandle
Mainhouse Creative is a spin-off of a long career in corporate media. My work includes writing, photography, videography, and post-production editing for speciality audiences. I’m based in Orange County, California.
What began as a newsroom assistant’s job quickly turned into a staff writer position at the Orange Coast Daily Pilot newspaper in Costa Mesa, California.
Later, my career took another turn with one of the nation’s largest specialty magazine publishers. I discovered that it was an exciting and energetic place to hang my hat.
Leaping into the glossy world of newsstand magazines with longer lead times and consumer oriented subjects became a calling card. Later, the roles shifted from editor-in-chief and Internet editorial director to producer of branded television and video projects.
I am not a marketing person. Foremost, I am a multimedia journalist . My world revolves around one-on-one interviews, writing for digital outlets and crafting video in post-production and photography/video camera work related to automobiles, animals and the Great Outdoors.
Enough about me.
Here’s my tip to you. Consider Blogging if you have a Website. It’s fun, and offers something to your online supporters. By Blogging with a purpose you drive traffic, and engage readers.
I suggest this story about Blogging by music journalist Simon Reynolds.
Video is New King of Content
It used to be that simple text and photography reigned King. That’s no longer true. According to Google, video content is ranked higher than any other medium being used online.
In today's media landscape, video reigns supreme as a vibrant storyteller, weaving together sight and sound to captivate audiences globally.
Its dynamic nature breathes life into ordinary narratives, offering immediacy and emotional depth. As the heartbeat of digital communication, video transcends boundaries, transforming stories into shared experiences that resonate deeply.
Check out examples of video for social media and Websites. Consider contacting us with any questions.
Storytellers
There’s video and then there is everything else.
Many of my assignments are from online publishers. They understand that well-crafted stories in the frame-work of a Website feeds the machine. Constantly updating content helps to improve online visibility. Google ranks you higher up the ladder, and improving the reach builds brands, which introduces consumers to your services and products.
Multimedia journalism is an innovative blend of storytelling that combines text, audio, video, and interactive elements to engage audiences in dynamic ways. I use it all the time for clients looking for dramatic ways of telling stories.
In an age where information is consumed rapidly, it's significant that 63% of adults now turn to online sources for news, according to a Pew Research Center study.
This shift (which I lived through) highlights the growing importance of digital platforms, which not only expand the reach of content but also open new avenues for monetization through subscriptions, ads, and direct reader support.
As traditional media grapples with declining print revenues, multimedia journalism offers a lifeline by revitalizing content delivery through immersive experiences.
It challenges conventional formats, encouraging media outlets to embrace change. Looking ahead, multimedia journalism will continue to evolve, leveraging advancements in technology to create more personalized and interactive news consumption experiences, ensuring that the art of storytelling remains as impactful as ever.
We are a Veteran owned small business.
A Perspective
Renowned photographer Ansel Adams once said, photographers should make photographs, not simply take them. It’s a great philosophy for any working photojournalist. Photography is about composition, exposure, depth-of-field, and scene selection before pressing the shutter button. No matter what AI promises, computers will never be able to offer the human touch.
The same line of thinking goes into video production work. Nothing good comes out of impatiently hitting the red record button. The intentional act of setting up a shot, whether it’s video or still photography, requires most of my time in the field. It’s when I am at my best, judging the ambient light, structuring the composition so that the subject falls where I want it on viewfinder, away from unwanted distractions shadows, etc. Either hand-held or on a tripod the process is the same. Visualization of the scene supersedes everything.
Photography isn’t about documenting a subject, as Adams once said. it’s about interpreting the subject in our own artistic style.
I’m not a wedding photographer, and while I have produced portraits, my main interest is editorial work. This is work that is typically published, online or in print.
This is an area of photography and video that is seen in today’s leading media outlets, capturing the essence of a story that’s not posed, or scripted.
With that said, I also produce short films for clients, typically used on YouTube, at trade shows, or on Websites.
I like natural settings. Like the couple I photographed below at Mammoth Lake, California for a potential advertisement for a kayak company. No unwanted anything, simply two people spending time on the calm water paddling away their worries.