Videographer

Videography deals with capturing images for an audience with a goal of entertaining and/or informing. Similar to photojournalism, the idea is to tell a story through your lens. It’s a creative field that has a couple different settings you could end up working in, and this isn’t limited just to journalism. You could be working at a news studio, in the field as events unfold, but also as a cameraperson on a movie or television show set.

How to Become a Videographer

Photography has lots of translatable skills, so it’s definitely a good starting point to getting into videography, but by no means is it the only way. It’s essential though to be able to translate ideas through what’s being captured to form stories. Therefore, a degree in journalism that focuses on film or broadcasting is a great place to start if you’re interested in working in this field. These programs help students refine their video-graphic and artistic skills in a way that equips them to properly portray topics related to society, communities, as well as social and political beliefs. Typically, these are some of the more common skills needed for employment:

Creativity. Camera operators and editors should be able to imagine what the result of their filming or editing will look like to an audience.
Detail oriented. Editors look at every frame of film and decide what should be kept and what should be cut to make the best production.
Hand–eye coordination. In the field, camera operators need to be able to move about the action while holding a camera steady.
Technical skills. Camera operators must understand the high-end cameras they use. Editors must know how to use many features of sophisticated editing software.
Visual skills. Camera operators must be able to see clearly what they are filming.

Salary Data and Job Outlook for Videographers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2012, the mean annual wage for videographers was $64,060, but in television broadcasting it is $55,820. Since there are so many industries for this type of work, your pay can vary greatly. Location, employer type, and years of experience will play a role in how much you can earn in this field. The field is expected to grow in years to come, so going to school now for this will prove to be lucrative in the future.

Online Journalism Schools and Degrees

With blogs, social media, and bookmarking websites, communication is increasingly becoming dependent on the internet. Education is no different as more accredited schools are offering Journalism and Communication degrees through online programs. Click on any links found below to request free information on a school's tuition, programs, accreditation, and more.

BS in Communication	Kaplan University — For aspiring journalists seeking a communications degree, Kaplan University offers two such programs, the BS in Communication/Organization Communication and the Advanced Start BS in Communications for students who have already earned an associate's or bachelor's degree. Students enrolled in online programs engage classes through the use of online communities of peers, multimedia, and hands-on assignments. Read more about Kaplan University.
BA in Journalism BA in Communication Studies BA in English/Language Arts	Ashford University — Ashford's bachelor's degree program in either journalism & mass communications or communication studies is a good fit for anyone pursuing a career in business, communication management, media, journalism, or public policy. Upon completion of either program, graduates are highly valued and sought after in the job market in all of these industries. Ashford also offers a similar degree in English/Language Arts that is geared toward individuals interested in a liberal arts education. Read more about Ashford University.
MA in Journalism & Mass Comm: PR	Kent State University — Kent State offers a master's degree of Journalism and Communication. This degree is specializes in Public Relations, preparing students for managerial positions or in-house PR positions with courses on social media, branding, strategy campaigns, and crisis management. This is one of only a few online masters of journalism programs available. Read more about Kent State University.
MA in Communication MA in Communication: PR MA in Communication: New Media BA in Communication: PR	Southern New Hampshire University — Southern New Hampshire University offers a MA degree in communication that combines courses in communication with a solid foundation in the liberal arts. Graduates of this program will be prepared to enter careers in advertising, business writing, corporate communications, journalism, and more. Read more about Southern New Hampshire University.
MS in New Media Journalism	Full Sail University — The MS in new media journalism from Full Sail University allows journalists to keep their skills sharp all while meeting the demands required by today's media consumers. The degree program combines traditional methods of journalism with emerging technology. You'll learn how to produce multimedia content, use social media to engage audiences and promote your work, and publish and distribute content across digital delivery platforms. Read more about Full Sail University.