Photojournalist

Photojournalism is a branch of journalism that creates images in order to tell a story. For those who have a passion for photography as well as journalism, this field might be good fit for you. It’s a creative profession with unique employment opportunities.

How to Become a Photojournalist

Students must have the aesthetic skills to communicate ideas through photography. Therefore, a degree in journalism that focuses on photography and media is a great place to start if you’re interested in working in this field. These programs help students hone their journalistic and artistic voices as well as prepare graduates to write critically about many topics related to society, communities, and social and political beliefs. Many schools offer students the option to select an area of concentration that focuses on photojournalists, teaching many of the following skills needed for employment:

Market and advertise services to attract clients
Analyze and decide how to compose a subject
Use various photographic techniques and equipment
Capture subjects in commercial-quality photographs
Enhance the subject’s appearance with natural or artificial light
Maintain a digital portfolio, often a website, to demonstrate work

Salary Data and Job Outlook for Photojournalists

Salary statistics are difficult to determine for this profession, as many factors often contribute to income potential. Location, employer type, and years of experience will play a role in how much you can earn in this field. Some photojournalists find success working as a freelancer, while others opt to work for a newspaper or online media website. You can also explore career options at a magazine or other print publishers. The good news is the employment of photographers is projected to grow by 13 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is most likely due to the increased use of the Internet and the demand for photos and multimedia content.

Journalism Schools and Degrees

Ashford University WSCUC	Available Programs: BA in Journalism and Mass Communication BA in Communication Studies
Full Sail University ACCSC	Available Programs: BS in Media Communications MA in New Media Journalism
Southern New Hampshire University ACCSC	Available Programs: BA in Communication MA in Communication in Public Relations MA in Communication in New Media and Marketing
Liberty University SACS	Available Programs: MA in Strategic Communication MHA in Public Relations
Purdue University HLC	Available Programs: MS in Communication
Temple University MSA	Available Programs: Bachelor of Journalism Master of Journalism
Quinnipiac University NEASC	Available Programs: MS in Journalism
California Baptist University WACS	Available Programs: BA in Communication Studies BA in Public Relations MA in Communications