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By TACP Staff on January 03, 2022
Photojournalism is the process of capturing and transmitting newsworthy events as they happen using the medium of photography as the primary storytelling device. Unlike a journalist who may write and report on a story, a photojournalist is trained to capture a visual representation of the story that engages and informs the viewer. Photojournalism is regarded as one of the most powerful mediums because of its ability to communicate complex and emotional narratives without relying on any verbal communication.
The practice of photojournalism is often described using the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” because of its ability to engage a reader or viewer in a story without the need for any accompanying text. Photojournalism is unique from other forms of visual storytelling because of its ability to place the viewer alongside the storyteller, thereby allowing them to experience real-life events as they happen, unfiltered by interpretation or bias.
The power of a photojournalist to capture and present an accurate and unbiased representation of an event is why photojournalism is often regarded as one of the most important forms of storytelling.
A photojournalist takes pictures of events, places, and people in newsworthy or historically significant situations. This may include events like natural disasters, war, political events, sporting events, public gatherings, and other significant happenings in the world. The images they capture are then made available to news agencies, newspapers, magazines, and online publications that may republish the photos with or without accompanying text.
Photojournalists are often called upon to work in dangerous and life-threatening situations to capture stories that would otherwise go untold. This is particularly true in war and natural disaster scenarios, but it can also include covering protests, conflict zones, or riots where violence is a possibility. For example, photojournalists have embedded with military units in Iraq and Afghanistan to capture both the personal stories of soldiers in combat, as well as the overall global impact of America’s war efforts overseas.
Photojournalists typically report to an editor or editorial staff that directs them to stories that are important, timely, and deserving of coverage. In this role, they may perform the following job duties:
Being a competent photojournalist goes beyond owning the right equipment, mastering the settings of your camera, and taking a good picture. It is also about having certain qualities, knowledge, and experience that enable you to pick the right subject, capture what you see, and compose an image that speaks to your audience. Here is a list of some of the most important characteristics you need to excel in this career:
In a world where the news is saturated by images, photographers are often pressured to produce more, faster, and with less effort. Focusing on details is a must because missing or ignoring important details in a story could result in inaccuracies or misleading information. Having an eye for detail ensures that the lighting, composition, and other elements of the photo work in a cohesive way to communicate the right message.
Photojournalists must be aware of their surroundings at all times and have a keen observation ability. They may be working in dangerous conditions, and it is their responsibility to use their judgment when deciding if it is safe to take a picture. They must be able to cope with the demands of a fast-changing environment and be able to adapt their work accordingly.
The primary goal of a photojournalist is to report on significant events and provide a truthful and comprehensive depiction of the subject of hand. Public confidence in the profession is dependent on an accurate representation of subjects without manipulation, alteration, or the introduction of one’s own biases. To that end, professionals in this field are accountable to the code of ethics established by the National Press Photographers Association.
Photojournalists are part of an editorial team. They must be able to present their work in a clear and concise manner, knowing that the message they want to share is clearly understood. Depending on the nature of the story, they may also need to write captions for their photos so their audience has something besides the photograph to reference.
Photojournalists must be able to sustain long work periods on their feet. Depending on the type of story being covered, they may be required to spend hours or even days waiting for something to happen. They also need a high degree of endurance in order to keep up with breaking news and events as they develop instead of being limited by the boundaries of the newspaper or news broadcast.
Photojournalists need to be able to multitask and be efficient. Because photojournalism is a competitive field, it may also require flexibility in terms of hours worked and the ability to quickly adapt when deadlines are moved forward or extended. Photojournalism requires close attention to many factors at once—composition of the picture, light, color, subject, and more—and an ability to make quick decisions under pressure.
Photojournalists work both independently and collaboratively. They are employed by news organizations such as Associated Press (AP) and Reuters, which distribute wire photos to newspapers, magazines, and other media. They also work for public relations firms that contract out their services to businesses, government agencies, and other clients who need commercial photography.
Photojournalists may also freelance for companies that do not have their own in-house staff. Freelancing opportunities exist for those who want to contract out their services to editorial clients or agencies that need photographs of current events for media or advertising use. A few of the most popular jobs in photojournalism include the following:
An Air Force Photojournalist is responsible for covering events and issues of interest to the Air Force. They shoot still photos and videos to document a variety of programs, activities, and personnel. Their work may be used for internal purposes or distributed to external customers such as newspapers, magazines, television networks, or movie producers.
A Freelance Photojournalist is responsible for photographing events and issues related to their client’s topic of interest. They establish themselves as a vendor for hire who delivers high-quality photographs that are timely, accurate, and relevant. They may contract their services out to any organization that has an interest in documenting events for public relations or commercial purposes.
A War Photojournalist is responsible for photographing military conflicts, international news stories, and humanitarian issues. They shoot still photos and videos inside active war zones, which may require them to work in locations that are hostile or extremely dangerous. Their images serve as eyewitness accounts of current events and history-in-the-making for editorial clients such as newspapers, magazines, television networks, documentary production companies, movie producers, museums, and more.
An Environmental Photojournalist is responsible for photographing nature and wildlife. They often document conservation efforts, natural disasters, wildlife activity, energy production, and environmental issues. Their images create awareness of wildlife, natural resources, and other environmental concerns.
The median annual salary for Photojournalists in the United States was $42,341 as of June 2021, according to Salary.com. This salary is the equivalent of $20.35 per hour. Professionals in the top 90% of all earners reported salaries above $53,388 per year.
Other online resources, including Indeed and ZipRecruiter, confirm these salary estimates. Based on recent job postings, photojournalists earn an average annual salary in the range of $35,357 and $40,179, with the highest paying jobs earning about $58,000 per year.
The following 10 U.S. cities have been identified as the top-paying metropolitan areas for professionals in photojournalism.
| CITY | HOURLY WAGE * | ANNUAL SALARY * |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, CA | $20.80 | $43,262 |
| Stamford, CT | $20.25 | $42,126 |
| Bellevue, WA | $20.21 | $42,031 |
| Lakes, AK | $19.50 | $40,556 |
| San Francisco, CA | $19.49 | $40,547 |
| Palmdale, CA | $19.28 | $40,111 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $19.21 | $39,958 |
| Hartford, CT | $19.17 | $39,880 |
| Pasadena, CA | $19.10 | $39,734 |
| Glendale, CA | $18.99 | $39,501 |
| * Zip Recruiter, Photojournalist Salary, January 2022 | ||
Photojournalists are a specific type of photographer who uses images to document newsworthy events. They differ from many types of traditional photographers in that they capture images that are not staged or controlled. The subject matter is also less about the personal vision of the photographer than it is about reporting current events.
You don’t need a degree to be a photojournalist; however, earning a degree in photography provides students with the skills necessary to excel in this profession and can dramatically improve their job prospects and earning potential. Most photojournalists have a bachelor’s degree in photography and may combine this with degrees in journalism or communications.
Most professional photojournalists today use high-quality digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, which are lightweight and provide them with the necessary flexibility to adapt to various shooting situations.
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