Photos can be smaller if you have more of them. If you have an open page, the dominant photo should usually be at least three columns if it is vertical, at least four columns if it is horizontal. Vary the sizes and shapes of the photos and graphics to add variety and visual appeal to the page. Photos that have similar shapes and sizes are dull, giving the reader little reason to sample them. If they are nearly the same, none stands out.
Variety adds stimulation.
In most cases, avoid square photographs. Use a mixture of vertical and horizontal elements to add variety to the page and to move the reader's eyes around the page. Cross the page at least once with type. Don't leave vertical gutters that run all the way down the page and divide it visually. Avoid stacking, or pancaking, stories on top of one other.