War photographer in the field

Photojournalism

The Image as News

The path to becoming an underwater photographer

The Path to Becoming a Photojournalist

From High School to Your First Job

Build a Solid Academic Foundation

Basics:

Take a wide variety of classes, including those in science (biology, physics, chemistry, computer science), history (American, European, World), political science, government, geography, and economics. Take photography, art history, comparative religion, advanced writing, and foreign language classes.

Recommended:

If not available at your high school, try taking photography courses (photojournalism, fundamentals of digital photography, Photoshop, image editing, lighting, composition, fine art, nature, and wildlife) and journalism-related courses (investigative journalism, political journalism) offered online.

Keep in Mind:

Volunteer for your school newspaper and try and obtain an internship with your local news organization. Learn how to write well. The ability to communicate clearly in writing cannot be overstated. Given that you may need to travel abroad for your work, you should become fluent in a foreign language.

Dive In!

And become an expert

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Peruse our library of must-read books

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Thumb through a relevant publication

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Take an online course

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Get a

jump on your Academic career

There’s no substitute for experience.

We have compiled a database of thousands of internships, research opportunities, academic programs and specialized training programs so you can get a jump on your academic career.

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Internships

Research

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Academic Training Programs

And if you need support to fulfill your dreams and ambitions, our searchable database has plenty of scholarship opportunities as well as programs designed to increase diversity.

Scholarships

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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Need Help Finding Your Opportunity?

Our video tutorials explain the ins and outs of landing a great internship, research project or training program.

 

Make all the right moves

Advice from those who know

Master the technical skills of photography

Build experience through internships

Work at your school or local newspaper

Participate in photography competitions

Create a website or blog to exhibit your work

Cultivate connections in the industry

Become knowledgeable about privacy and copyright laws

Join professional societies and organizations

Stay current by reading industry and professional journals

What degree is right for you?

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Undergraduate Degree

There is no degree requirement to pursue a career in photojournalism. However, an undergraduate program in photography will help you hone your photographic technique and provide more entry-level opportunities. Not many schools have specific photojournalism majors, but almost all schools that have journalism or photography majors will offer at least one or two courses in photojournalism.

Graduate Degree

Most photojournalists will tell you that it would be better to spend two years gaining experience rather than in graduate school. There are, however, graduate programs in photojournalism that will certainly give you an edge when seeking a position with established news organizations. Also, many of these graduate programs offer internships with high-quality media and news organizations.

10 Schools With Excellent Photojournalism Programs

Want to see the full list of colleges and universities with degree offerings or relevant courses?

See the full list

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Photojournalism
Columbia College Chicago

Photojournalism
University of North Texas

Photojournalism Concentration
Ball State University

Photojournalism
University of Missouri

Photojournalism Option
Rochester Institute of Technology

Photojournalism
The George Washington University

Photojournalism
Western Kentucky University

Photojournalism Minor
Kent State University

Photojournalism
Minnesota State University Moorhead

Photojournalism
Central Michigan University

Tip 1

Just like aspiring artists study paintings in a museum, to improve your photojournalistic skills, you should analyze the photographs of successful photojournalists and see how their images tell a story in a compelling manner.

Tip 2

When choosing the subject matter for your story, consider your own perspectives and experiences in the world and how they can lead your storytelling in a way that offers access or insight that other photojournalists cannot.

Tip 3

Gain experience by working for the student newspaper or from internships with a local newspaper. This will help you build a portfolio for prospective employers. Don’t wait to be employed to start acting like a photojournalist.

Have familiarity with one or more of the following areas

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Camera and lens mechanics

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Photo editing software

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Color science

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Photojournalistic ethics

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Film science and development

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Digital platforms

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Shot composition

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Research

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Aesthetic photography

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Social media

Typical Job Functions of a Photojournalist

Here are some of the interesting things you could be doing.

Capturing subjects on film.

Conducting research to gather background information about a subject.

Conducting interviews to enhance and verify news stories.

Writing narration to accompany images.

Processing and printing negatives or film.

Using image-editing software to edit images.

Submitting images, text, and other information to the editorial staff.

Traveling to assigned locations.

Exploring relevant story concepts alongside writers, reporters, and editors.

There’s an Ocean of Possibilities

As a photojournalist, you can work independently as a freelancer or on a news or other organization staff.

Career paths that a photojournalist can pursue include:

  • News
  • Investigative
  • Portrait
  • Fashion
  • Wildlife
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Documentary
  • Editor
  • Copywriter

Potential employers include:

  • News Agencies
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Broadcast Companies
  • Media Groups
  • TV Stations
  • Public Relations Firms
  • Communications Companies
  • Social Media Companies
  • Film Studios
  • Advertising Agencies

Start your career search with our extensive list of employment websites.