Register reporters to become more, uh, visible

Maybe it's a good thing that print newsrooms are turning to younger, lower-paid staff — because there's also a trend toward running more photos of the hired help. The Orange County Register is going all the way, decreeing that reporters and columnists shall have new mug shots taken that will run with every story. (Oh the humanity.) Here's the memo to "newsroom associates," as the scribes are still quaintly called down there.

Date: August 18, 2010 6:57:26 PM PDT To: Newsroom Assoc_OCR Subject: Note to all columnists and reporters re mugshots--please read

Columnists and writers…..

Our newspaper mug style is changing beginning in a couple of weeks. We're doing this for two reasons:

Recently-released MORI research recommendations told us that we need to better promote our talented writing staff. Images were specifically called out by the research team as a good way to do this.

You'll remember months back we reworked the online sigs and at that time said print would be next. We're there!

The biggest change is that every story written by a staff writer will have that writer's picture and byline indented into the text. I've included examples of both columnist and reporter styles below.

So….we need to take your picture! Some we already have. Kate Lucas has agreed to open the studio to all who need to be shot next Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30-3:30. That's Aug. 24 and 26.

A list of everyone is attached. If you see your name in bold, you can blow us off. We have your mug. If you're not in bold we have to shoot you on the dates above.

Please remember: we do straightforward, no-prop images in print. Also, if we have somehow forgotten a name please forgive us. The list was assembled in haste.

Thanks for your help…Brenda

That's Brenda Shoun, a deputy editor.