Got a new gig, sorta, ideas wanted

[pittbug]

I've just been volunteered to be the editor for a monthly newsletter for one of the local community service groups I'm involved with. The newsletters in the past have always had a large seasonal photo on the cover. So I have to pull my finger out and treat each month as an assignment. I don't get paid, but it's a good opportunity for me to progress, and who knows, something might come out of it eventually.

I had a week's notice to put together the September issue and fortunately I already had a photo I could use from a previous event.

The challenge is that the newsletter needs to be produced by the beginning of the month for that month, so the holidays and events haven't actually taken place yet.

For example, I have to produce the October newsletter by the end of Sept when Halloween hasn't happened yet, and the November newsletter should probably include a Thanksgiving theme.

Any tips/advice on creativity for an October theme?

Thanks

[Eastree]

October and November could almost be done before the end of September, depending on the typical seasonal shift in your area.

For October, at least, I'd say look around at some places for fall seasonal (not necessarily all Halloween, but that's up to you) items for sale. It seems there's an Old Time Pottery store in Columbus; you may want to look there for some inexpensive items. It's just an example, but OTP typically has things well in advance of a holiday.

Since the foliage typically starts changing mid-September, I'd also start considering your November shoot, then -- or to consider locations for the October (issue) shoot.

October typically more often focuses on corn harvests and fall colors, as well as some squash harvests. These and some whimsical Halloween things could be an idea.

November, of course, means more fall harvest items, and deeper fall colors, if not browned leaves and barren trees.

In either, depending on your local area, perhaps the fair would be a good subject.

I know, I'm probably being fairly ambuguous here, but I really don't know your area. I also grew up in an area with two seasons: Hot and cold.

[pittbug]

Thanks for the ideas Eastree, I'll definitely have to start scouting locations. We have a farmers market this weekend, maybe I can get a few seasonal candids.

[Eastree]

Also: Do you possibly have the option of stocking photographs well in advance, or are they (preferred/required) to be recent?

[oldwolf]

If you need people in the pictures or even if you don't then you'll have to stage the photos if you want holiday themes to them.

[pittbug]

There aren't any requirements for the photos to be recent or timely, so I was thinking about doing a variety of shots, some with a current theme to them, others more timeless classics. That way I can either keep them for next year, or fall back on them if the timely ones don't work out.