Profession photojournalist

Photojournalists cover all kinds of news events by taken informative images. They tell stories by taking, editing and presenting images for newspapers, journals, magazines, television and other media.

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Realistic

Knowledge

• Spelling

  The rules concerning the way words are spelled.

• Grammar

  The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.

• Writing techniques

  The different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.

• Copyright legislation

  Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.

• Photography

  Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.

• Interview techniques

  The techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.

• Editorial standards

  The guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.

Skills

• Follow the news

  Follow current events in politics, economics, social communities, cultural sectors, internationally, and in sports.

• Adapt to type of media

  Adapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.

• Follow ethical code of conduct of journalists

  Follow the ethical code of conduct of journalists, such as freedom of speech, right of reply, being objective, and other rules.

• Select camera apertures

  Adjust lens apertures, shutter speeds and camera focus.

• Build contacts to maintain news flow

  Build contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general public, etc.

• Apply grammar and spelling rules

  Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.

• Consult information sources

  Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.

• Study topics

  Carry out effective research on relevant topics to be able to produce summary information appropriate to different audiences. The research may involve looking at books, journals, the internet, and/or verbal discussions with knowledgeable persons.

• Interview people

  Interview people in a range of different circumstances.

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

• Set up photographic equipment

  Choose the best position and orientation of the camera to capture the scene, along with other necessary equipment.

• Use specific writing techniques

  Use writing techniques depending on the type of media, the genre, and the story.

• Write to a deadline

  Schedule and respect tight deadlines, especially for theatre, screen and radio projects.

• Participate in editorial meetings

  Participate in meetings with fellow editors and journalists to discuss possible topics and to divide the tasks and workload.

• Select photographic equipment

  Select appropriate photographic equipment and background properties, and adapt it according to subjects, materials, and conditions.

• Evaluate writings in response to feedback

  Edit and adapt work in response to comments from peers and publishers.

• Develop professional network

  Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.

• Stay up to date with social media

  Keep up with the trends and people on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB