How to Get a Degree in Photojournalism
Photojournalists tell stories using photographs. Photojournalists take pictures of events, including crime scenes, political events, parades and more. Or they may create photo essays to call attention to specific issues, such as racism, drug abuse, terrorism etc. Their work is published online, in newspapers and magazines. Photojournalists may be company employees or freelancers who submit their work to various publications. Competition is heavy for photojournalism jobs and a degree in photojournalism is required by many employers.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Camera
- Film (if using a traditional 35 mm camera)
- Tripod
- Photography supplies (as needed)
- Portfolio (electronic and/or professional-quality physical version)
- Pens
- Notebooks
- Academic textbooks
Instructions
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Look for a photojournalism school. Many four-year colleges and universities offer degrees in photojournalism or in communications and/or journalism with a minor or concentration in photojournalism. Look for courses in digital and 35 mm photography and editing that use the latest technology. Also look for courses in media law, reporting, internships, portfolio building etc. It is important to also have a well-rounded curriculum in such subjects as political science, geography, foreign language, business etc. as you will need some knowledge in various subjects in order to understand the subjects you are covering.
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Apply for admission. Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to take college admission tests (such as the ACT or SAT), submit transcripts from other schools, apply for financial aid etc. It is best to apply for admission several months before a term starts so you have plenty of time to complete the admissions process. Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Admission to some photojournalism programs is highly competitive. You may be required to present a portfolio of your work to qualify for admission. Present clear, compelling pictures of various subjects (landscapes, portraits, action shots etc.) in an online portfolio or mounted in a professional-looking portfolio. -
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Register for classes. Your school will likely provide a curriculum to follow. Be sure to follow all courses in the recommended sequence, including all prerequisites (for example, Journalism 101 may be required before you take Photojournalism 201).
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Complete the curriculum. Finish all assignments and tests to the best of your ability. Ask for help and advice from instructors and other students, particularly those who have experience in photojournalism.
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Tips & Warnings
If possible, try to develop a professional relationship with a photojournalist or a photojournalism instructor. Ask them for advice: What schools and courses they would recommend, how they got started in the field, etc. These informal mentors will help guide you through college and into your career.
It is strongly recommended that you work for your student newspaper or for local newspapers or television stations, even on an unpaid basis at first. Submit your work to magazines and online media. While you are doing so, pay attention to others on the staff, you will gradually find out how they broke into the field. They may notice your good work and recommend you for photography jobs.
Taking these initial steps will give you an advantage over other new photojournalists. Because competition for photojournalism jobs is fierce, employers will want to see that you have at least some experience in the field.
Newsworthy events happen at any time of day and in any part of the world. Photojournalists often must accept and complete assignments at the last minute, requiring immediate travel and/or schedule changes. While it may seem to be glamorous, it can be very stressful on the photojournalist and his family.
According to Payscale.com, salaries range from $20,000 to $70,000 with the highest salaries going to those with 10 years of experience or more and who work for nationally known publications.
