Careers in Photojournalism by Institute For Career Research

Author:Institute For Career Research
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Institute For Career Research
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Personal Qualifications

Having a passion for the work as a photojournalist is an absolute must. Your assignment is not just to shoot photos and video. You are on a mission to capture images that are gripping and unique. That requires patience and the dedication to keep shooting until you get “the shot,” the one that tells the story in an extraordinary fashion. You possess a sixth sense, that feeling that something is going to happen before it actually does. Photojournalists have uncanny intuition, which alerts them to when everything is coming together for the perfect moment that will yield an unforgettable image.

Boundless energy and a tremendous amount of stamina are essential qualities. You are constantly on the move, and the only way you can keep up is by being physically fit.

When you are out in the field, you must exude confidence. This is not a job for the shy or withdrawn. Photojournalists have to position themselves in the best possible place to get the images they need. That may be up on a roof, on top of a car, clinging onto a raft, in the rush of a pushing and shoving crowd of demonstrators, or running alongside a motorcade of VIPs. These pros have to take initiative, dive into the scene, and get close to the people and events they are filming or photographing.

Knowing how to develop an individual style, something that sets your photos and video apart from the work of others will be your key to success. The work of every great photojournalist captures and evokes emotion in a unique way.

Photojournalists have a natural curiosity. That allows them to dig deeper into a story, always believing that there is more to uncover. Photojournalists use their imagination to push them to see if they can get a shot from an improbable angle – from the ledge of a building or by lying on the ground. They explore all the possibilities, so that people wonder, “How did they get that shot?”

This job is hard to do without good people skills. Photojournalists constantly work with people, so you have to be able to relate to them and sense what they are feeling. As a photojournalist, you must respect what people are going through and thank them for allowing you into their lives. You have to be able to gain people’s trust. Developing relationships with government and law enforcement officials, and first responders, is also important because you come across these people in your line of work all the time and they can help you get your job done, or put barriers in your way.

Solid writing and reporting skills are also part of this job. While you do not write stories as a photojournalist, you are often called on to write captions or brief descriptions for your photos. So you need a flair for the written word. In addition, you want everything you do write to contain accurate and up-to-the-minute information. That information has to include the proper spelling of names and locations.

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