Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Photojournalist

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a passionate storyteller who sees the world through a lens? We're searching for an energetic and creative Photojournalist to join our award-winning newsroom. In this role, you will be the eyes of our audience, responsible for capturing the moments that define our community and the world. You are a master of visual narrative who uses a camera to report the news, working on tight deadlines to produce visually stunning, technically sound, and ethically reported content. This position requires a unique blend of artistic talent, technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity. You'll work both independently on assignment and as a key player in our collaborative news team, covering everything from fast-breaking news and community events to in-depth, long-form documentary projects.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Staff Photographer or Freelance Photographer
Multimedia Journalist or Video Journalist
Recent Graduate with a degree in Journalism or Visual Communications

Advancement To:

Senior Photojournalist or Chief Photographer
Photo Editor or Director of Photography
Senior Multimedia Producer

Lateral Moves:

Videographer / Documentary Filmmaker
Content Creator / Social Media Visuals Strategist
Corporate or Commercial Photographer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conceptualize, pitch, and develop original story ideas that can be told effectively through visual journalism, contributing to the daily and long-term editorial planning process.
Capture high-quality, impactful, and technically proficient photographs and video for daily news, breaking news, sports, and feature assignments under tight, non-negotiable deadlines.
Edit and process still images and video footage using industry-standard software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro) to prepare them for publication across all platforms.
Write accurate, informative, and AP-style captions for all visual assets, ensuring all individuals are correctly identified and the context of the event is clearly and truthfully described.
Generate and post engaging visual content directly to various social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, to drive audience engagement and expand our digital footprint.
Operate a wide range of professional digital photography and videography equipment, including DSLR/mirrorless cameras, various lenses, and lighting setups, ensuring optimal performance in diverse conditions.
Conduct interviews and gather information while in the field to support visual reporting and ensure the accuracy, depth, and context of the story being told.
Collaborate effectively with reporters, editors, and other newsroom staff to plan coverage, coordinate assignments, and create cohesive, powerful multimedia packages.
Transmit images and video from remote locations quickly and efficiently using FTP, mobile technology, or other transmission software to meet the demands of a 24/7 news cycle.
Maintain a deep understanding of and strictly adhere to journalistic ethics, privacy rights, copyright laws, and the company's editorial standards in all aspects of work.
Proactively seek out and photograph visually compelling, storytelling moments for both assigned and self-generated enterprise projects that go beyond simple event documentation.
Manage and maintain all assigned photography, video, and computer equipment, reporting any malfunctions or needs for repair/replacement in a timely manner.
Meticulously archive and keyword all digital assets in the content management system (CMS) and digital asset management (DAM) system for future access by the newsroom.
Develop and maintain a robust network of sources and contacts within the community to generate exclusive story leads and gain access for unique visual opportunities.
Adapt to a flexible work schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts, to respond to breaking news and cover scheduled events as they happen.
Possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a clean driving record to travel to assignments, often in a company vehicle, across our coverage area.
Stay current with emerging trends in photojournalism, multimedia technology, and visual storytelling techniques to continuously innovate and improve the quality of your work.
Produce compelling standalone photo galleries, video essays, and other visual-first story formats for digital platforms, demonstrating strong independent narrative judgment.
Work calmly and professionally in high-stress, rapidly evolving situations such as protests, natural disasters, or major accident scenes, prioritizing safety and ethical reporting.
Ensure all visual work is color-corrected, audio-balanced, and meets the publication's established aesthetic and technical specifications before submission.
Travel for assignments, sometimes on short notice and for extended periods, to cover stories regionally, nationally, or internationally as directed by editors.

Secondary Functions

Assist the photo editing desk in selecting images for print layouts and prominent digital galleries.
Mentor junior photographers or interns, providing constructive feedback and guidance on technique and newsroom best practices.
Actively participate in newsroom planning meetings, offering a visual perspective and contributing fresh story ideas.
Manage personal and pool gear inventory, ensuring it is properly maintained, organized, and accounted for.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert proficiency with professional DSLR and mirrorless camera systems (e.g., Canon, Nikon, Sony) and a wide range of lenses.
Advanced knowledge of photo editing and processing software, particularly Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop.
Strong video shooting and editing skills using Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or equivalent non-linear editing software.
Mastery of lighting techniques, including the use of natural light, on-camera flash, and portable multi-strobe setups.
Proven ability to transmit images and video quickly from the field using PhotoMechanic, FTP, and other mobile technologies.
Experience with content management systems (CMS) and digital asset management (DAM) for uploading and archiving visual content.
Competency in capturing and editing clean, high-quality audio using professional microphones and editing tools.
Deep understanding of AP (Associated Press) style for writing accurate, concise, and context-rich captions.
Technical proficiency operating on both Mac and PC computer systems and related creative/office software.
Experience creating and optimizing visual content for various social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok).
FAA Part 107 drone certification for aerial photography and videography is a significant plus.

Soft Skills

An exceptional eye for visual storytelling and a strong "news sense" to identify impactful moments.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for building rapport with subjects from all walks of life.
Unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics, accuracy, and professional integrity.
Superior time management and organizational skills to juggle multiple assignments and meet constant deadlines.
High degree of adaptability and creative problem-solving ability in unpredictable and fast-changing environments.
Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and as a proactive, collaborative team member.
Resilience, poise, and composure when working in stressful, hazardous, or emotionally charged situations.
A relentless curiosity and a creative drive to produce unique, compelling, and memorable imagery.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and professional experience. A stellar portfolio can be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Photojournalism, Journalism, Visual Communications, or a closely related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Journalism
Photography / Fine Arts
Communications / Media Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of professional experience as a photojournalist, multimedia journalist, or staff photographer in a daily news environment.

Preferred:

Experience at a daily newspaper, television station, or major digital news organization is highly preferred.
A comprehensive and professional portfolio of work is required for consideration. Your portfolio must demonstrate a strong mix of breaking news, sports action, feature stories, and in-depth project work in both still photography and video formats.