Finding photojournalist jobs takes more than just obtaining a degree. While you can read job boards and newspaper ads to stay up-to-date on the industry, these outlets are not the best resources for information. Even if you're not looking for a job, photojournalism news and trends are ever changing and it's important to stay on top of these topics in order to stay competitive in the industry.

Photojournalism jobs can be difficult to come by; therefore, you need to be ready to take advantage of a opportunity when it arises. Be sure to browse industry blogs, articles and the websites of professional associations in order to keep up-to-date on the latest news in regards to careers in photojournalism. When searching for news and trends in photojournalism employment, remember to do the following:

1. Read advice from professionals with a successful photojournalist career.

2. Subscribe to blogs about careers in photojournalism.

3. Read news and articles on professional photojournalism career associations.

Action Steps
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Read professional advice from those with successful journalism photography jobs

When you have the chance to read stories and advice from successful photojournalists, make sure to take advantage of the information that is offered. You'll often find tips and tricks about the industry that will be helpful regardless of your current standing.

I recommend: Gorp has an outdoor jobs community that focuses on people in many fields, including photography journalist jobs. It is a great resource to network with other people in the industry and read profiles about successful photojournalists. WedPix is a magazine that is dedicated to wedding photojournalists and photojournalist jobs. Its article section includes features from experts in the business.

Take part in photojournalism employment job blogs

The Internet is the perfect tool from bringing people around the world together to chat. Blogs are a great outlet in which to speak freely about photojournalism career information. Bloggers are often experts that also give useful advice and tips about the photojournalism industry.

I recommend: PhotoJournalism is a blog by professional Mark M. Hancock. Mark discusses jobs in photojournalism and tips and tricks for the industry. Check out Mindy McAdams blog, Teaching Online Journalism for news and trends about online photojournalism jobs.

Check professional associations for photojournalist jobs information

Whether you're looking to break into the photojournalist job market or looking to advance your career, it's important to stay tuned in to the latest photojournalism jobs news and trends. Check out professional association websites for current news and employment information.

I recommend: Employers are usually members of professional associations like the American Press Institute (API). It's an ideal source for job information and other news. The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) offers a professional development section. It's the perfect place to find news, trends and job information about the industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider starting your own blog or online forum about careers in photojournalism. Both outlets are a great way to network with other professionals and discuss the news and trends of the industry.

Careers in photojournalism seem exciting and fun. After all, photojournalism jobs offer the chance to get up from your desk and go out into the world. This makes them extremely desirable. Unfortunately, it also creates a very competitive industry.

Many more people want jobs in photojournalism than actual jobs. That means that if you want to snag a full-time position, you're going to have to be the best of the best. However, many photojournalists work freelance and it is possible to make a good living without having a full-time job.

If you are interested in a photojournalism career:

1. Study the technical and artistic side of shooting photos. While a college degree isn't necessary for most documentary photography jobs, knowledge of how to work the camera and how to frame photos is. Make sure that you know how to do these things.

2. In most cases, if you have a photojournalism job, you need to provide your own equipment. You don't always have to own top-of-the-line equipment, but you will need something that still take a great picture.

3. Network with others to find freelance photojournalist jobs.

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Take an internship to learn valuable photojournalism career information

There's more to photojournalism than simply taking pictures. Working as an intern will help you to learn what it's like to work as a photojournalist. It helps you to decide if a photojournalism career is right for you.

I recommend: Search for internships in your area through InternshipPrograms.com. The National Press Photographers Association lists members that are willing to be mentors to budding photojournalists. There aren't always photojournalism internships available, so if you can't find any, look for photographers in your area and approach them for an internship.

Find steady photojournalism employment

The photojournalism industry is very competitive, but there are steady jobs out there. If you are the type of person that prefers to receive a steady paycheck, you should look for full-time employment.

I recommend: Look at available positions on MySpace Jobs to see if anything suits you. You may also have luck at Juju.

Break out on your own with freelance jobs in photojournalism

Many people enjoy the flexibility that comes with having a freelance position. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to not know when you'll get your next paycheck, so it's important to advertise your services so that you have a steady stream of income.

I recommend: Perhaps the easiest way to get freelance photojournalism jobs in your area is by advertising yourself as a wedding photographer. The Knot is one of the most popular sites for wedding planning and you would do well to place an ad in your region. Alternatively, you can try to sell your photos as stock images to those that need them at Shutter Point.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Besides a resume, you will need to have a decent portfolio in order to get photojournalism jobs. This is simply a collection of photographs you've taken along with credits from which companies printed them.

Whether you have photojournalist jobs at your company you need to fill or you want to start your own photojournalism business, you need to understand the training and education that photojournalists today are expected to receive. The training of most photojournalists depends on three things: a formal education or degree program, practical training and non-skill training.

Those looking for careers in photojournalism seek out a formal education or degree program to learn the skills they need in order to get a job. These skills may include camera skills, editing skills and the computer skills needed to create multimedia projects out of photos. Beyond this, however, students also need to seek hands-on training and learn about the photojournalism job market. When pursuing photojournalism training, consider:

1. Find reputable schools that open photojournalism employment opportunities to you.
2. Familiarize yourself with program courses to hone in on the specific skills you should be developing.
3. Learn about the job market so that you can position yourself for a great career.
   

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Select the right training to get photojournalist jobs

Landing photojournalism jobs depends not only on formal training and schooling, but also on learning the basics through practical, hands-on practice. Look for a photojournalism course or degree at a school that offers lots of practical field work as well as a career counseling center that will help you find and apply for jobs in photojournalism. Whether you are focusing on practical or school training, strive to network with professionals in your field. Letters of recommendation from these professionals can help you get started in your photojournalist career.

I recommend: The National Press Photographers Association offers tips on choosing and paying for your photojournalism education and training. Also, be sure to read the Magnum Photos blog to get useful advice for photographers just embarking on a career in photojournalism.

Read course listings to get a sense of the skills you need for careers in photojournalism

Most photojournalism schools offer listings of courses they offer to those who are interested in photojournalism jobs education and training. This course information is a very useful way to learn about the skills employers will demand when offering photojournalism employment. Many courses today emphasize digital photography, multimedia and editing skills, as well as ethics education.

I recommend: The Poynter Institute has detailed course information for its visual journalism program which gives great insight into the requirements for today's jobs in photo journalism. The Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism has a detailed description of what photojournalism degree programs offer and is a useful resource for understanding what to expect from a degree program.

Conduct your own research into a photojournalism career to learn about opportunities

Most formal education and programs are designed for students seeking journalism photography jobs and these programs focus on giving you the skills you need in order to get a photojournalism job. However, in order to be successful, you also need to educate yourself about the photojournalism job market. To do this, you will need to study the job outlook for photojournalism jobs and evaluate where you are most likely to find a photojournalism job.

I recommend: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Division of Occupational Employment Statistics has a comprehensive chart detailing the job outlook for photojournalists and photographers. Monster.com also has a useful article outlining what students need to know beyond just skills to land a photojournalist job.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many journalism photography jobs rely on a student's portfolio, which is a collection of photos taken by the student displaying his or her talent. A great deal of a job-hunter's efforts should go into developing the best possible portfolio.

Whether you aspire to be a photojournalist, or are from a company seeking to employ a photojournalist, you should know the basic terminology of the industry. You'll commonly hear words like freelance, portfolio and cutline in the industry. Outsiders may not be familiar with these terms. You should also understand copyright, learn to recognize stock photography and know the difference between a photojournalist and a photographer. An understanding of photojournalism jobs key terms can help you find your career path in the industry.

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Photojournalist

Photojournalists use pictures to record and report on news events. Their photography is factual and tells a story.

I recommend: Mark M. Hancock gives an explanation of photojournalism and how a photojournalist is different from a photographer.

Freelancer

As a freelance photojournalist, you do not have a full-time job. Instead, you seek out a series of small jobs from different entities. As a freelancer, you have the ability to work when you want to work and turn down jobs you don't wish to perform. However, you also have to be able to continually sell yourself and be willing to go without a steady income for periods of time.

I recommend: For more information about freelance photojournalists, check out eHow. The website has good advice on identifying potential clients and setting up your business.

Copyright

The United States copyright laws protect your original work as a photojournalist. These laws give you or the company you work for exclusive rights to your work. Photographs gain copyright protection at the moment of creation. In most cases, that protection lasts for a photographer's life, plus and additional 70 years.

I recommend: If you'd like to read more about copyright law, visit the National Press Photographers Association.

Portfolio

When you are looking for a job as a photojournalist, it is helpful to have a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of your best photographs that you can show to a potential employer or client.

I recommend: Education-Portal.com describes what it takes to become a photojournalist. The site also explains how crucial a portfolio is to achieving success in this career.

Stock photography

Stock photography is a collection of existing photos that are ready for publication. If you got a job shooting stock photography, you would shoot the images, catalogue them and receive payment only when a buyer decides he or she would like to license your images.

I recommend: For a much more detailed explanation of stock photography, how to produce it and how to sell it, check out Editorial Photographers.

Cutline

A cutline, also called a caption, is a small amount of text, typically printed below the picture, that describes what is taking place in the picture. A cutline helps the reader put the picture into context and understand why it's important. Typically a newspaper has cutlines, but a magazine has captions.

I recommend: Carol B. Schwalbe gives an explanation of what a cutline is and how a photojournalist can write a good one.