Photo: Dolly Faibyshev for New York Magazine
Just before Thanksgiving in 2022, Gwen Whiting was getting her hair done when a friend forwarded her an Instagram post about the Laundress, the line of upscale, plant-derived, low-preservative ecoconscious products that Whiting co-founded in 2002. In 2019, she had sold the company to Unilever for a reported $100 million; two years later, she had finished her employment contract under the conglomerate, which promptly terminated her company email address. Which is why Whiting found out only through her DMs that her former start-up was warning customers to immediately stop using all of its products. Two weeks later, the Laundress recalled some 8 million items: They potentially contained dangerous bacteria that gave consumers unsightly rashes and posed serious infection risks for the immunocompromised.
Under Whiting, the Laundress had fostered a devoted fan base, and many of those customers began to send her messages through Instagram and her personal website. They were asking questions, frantic about their sheets and skin. “I was like, ‘I don’t know what’s going on. I haven’t been there,’” she recalls. One panicked woman told her she had just washed all her cashmere sweaters in soap from the Laundress. “I wanted to say, ‘You’re going to be fine. Don’t panic,’” Whiting tells me. But she dug up her contracts from the sale, looked for the nondisparagement and noncompete
What are some key tips photojournalists should keep in mind when preparing to conduct an interview for a specific story?
## Breaking Down the Art of Photojournalism Interviews: A Conversation with [Guest Name]
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of photojournalism. We’re joined by [Guest Name, BrieflyStateTheirExpertise/Credentials in Photojournalism], who’s here to shed light on the crucial role of interviews in this dynamic field.
Welcome to the show, [Guest Name]!
**Guest:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** Let’s start with the basics. For those unfamiliar, how do interviews factor into the work of a photojournalist?
**Guest:** Photojournalism is about telling stories through images, capturing moments that are both powerful and truthful. But images alone sometimes can’t provide the full context. Interviews allow photojournalists to delve deeper, understand the stories behind the faces and scenes, and add a crucial human element to their work. [[1](https://yourcareersupport.com/photojournalist-interview-questions/)]
**Host:** Absolutely! How would you say photojournalism interviews differ from traditional journalistic interviews?
**Guest:** While the goal of unearthing the truth remains the same, there’s a unique dynamic in photojournalism. We’re not just listening for quotes; we’re also observing body language, expressions, and the environment. These visual cues often inform the photographer’s choices in composing the shot and selecting the most impactful moments.
**Host:** That’s fascinating. Can you give us an example of how a well-conducted interview led to a particularly compelling photograph?
**Guest:** [Share a specific example from their own experience]
**Host:** Powerful stuff. For aspiring photojournalists, what advice would you give on conducting effective interviews?
**Guest:** [Share 2-3 actionable tips] Preparation is key.
Know your subject, have insightful questions ready, and remember to build rapport.
Listen actively, observe carefully, and always strive to capture the essence of the storyauthentically.
**Host:** Wonderful advice. [Guest Name], thank you so much for sharing your insights into this vital aspect of photojournalism.
**Guest:** My pleasure.
**Host:** And thank you to all our viewers for tuning in.
