Pursuing a career in photojournalism is a serious undertaking. The field of photojournalism isn't all glamour and glitz. It can certainly lead to awards and impressive paychecks, but the field is quite competitive, even at the entry level, and requires an intense passion and the discipline to persist in a market overflowing with people holding cameras.
As you weave through photojournalism resources, think about the core reasons you are interested in photojournalism:
1. If it's your desire to capture the front page photo that displays the havoc a natural disaster can wreak, it's necessary to have the survival skills to keep yourself alive as you photograph a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, flood, or other natural disaster.
2. Find a niche in photojournalism. The most successful photojournalists are well-rounded and can cover any type of activity.
3. Keep up with technology. Film can't be your medium of choice. You need to know how to work with digital editing software. Digital photography is necessary to survive in this competitive field; you need to deliver your high-quality photos quickly.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Explore different ways to obtain photojournalism education
Although a photojournalism degree is not a specific requirement to break into the field, at least exploring some classes and getting some education will not only help you decide if it is the right field for you, but it will also help you network with professionals, which can lead to a future job. Apprenticeships and internships are great ways to delve into the action and see what is involved firsthand.
I recommend: A great place to start your search for education is with the
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) which provides a listing of US and international schools that offer photojournalism programs and courses. The
Educational Portal offers photojournalism info on degree programs, addresses freelancing, and has a list of recommended schools for those interested in photojournalism.
Discover where the photojournalism jobs are
Photojournalist information is found in magazines, newspapers, and via the Web. A desire to be in the field makes you naturally inclined to seek out professionals already doing the job. Regardless of whether you are new to the field, or have been in it for a while, connecting and networking with other photojournalists is a must.
I recommend: While searching regular job boards, such as Monster and Careerbuilder for photojournalism jobs, join forums such as
Photo.net where you can obtain job leads through online conversations. Search
JournalismJobs.com for nationwide job postings.
Associate with photojournalism organizations
Being associated with a professional photojournalism organization will add power to your credentials and will attract the customers that seek your expertise and professionalism.
I recommend: Register with the
Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) if you are going to focus on this niche of photojournalism. Get exposure for your work, access to classifieds and message boards, along with photo critiques by other photographers by joining the
American Photojournalist.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Read through a photojournalism magazine and take notes. Record photographer names, types of images that catch your eye, and any reference material you can get your hands on to broaden your base of photojournalism information.
The official source of Photojournalism is the Photojournalism page at Business.com
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