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Photojournalism Education and Training

Land even the most competitive photojournalism jobs with the right education.

By Lea Terry, Freelance Journalist / Copywriter
Whether you're launching a career in photojournalism, or are an industry veteran, there are photojournalism resources that can help you learn new skills or refine your technique. Photojournalism education includes formal training, on-the-job training, mentorships and continuing education opportunities like courses, workshops, seminars and conferences. Even after you've received a degree, you'll want to keep up with photojournalism info throughout your career.

As with the journalism industry as a whole, photojournalism is a competitive industry, and honing your skills can help your career thrive. Photojournalism education and training options include:
  1. Formal photojournalism training at a college, university or art or technical school
  2. Mentorship programs through professional organizations
  3. Workshops and seminars

 

Get a photojournalism degree

An undergraduate or graduate degree in photojournalism provides you not only the technical skills needed for photography, but also the artistic and even ethical aspects. Most two-year and four-year universities offer degrees in photography and/or photojournalism, as do many art schools and some technical schools.
Try: The Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism offers a photojournalism program that teaches both beginning photojournalism and advanced documentary photography, which are integrated with reporting and writing courses. Or, search for photojournalism programs at CollegeToolkit.

Seek photojournalism information from experts through a mentorship program

Both new and experienced photojournalists can benefit from mentorship programs, which pair participants with veteran photographers for one-on-one guidance. Through these relationships, participants can receive critiques of their work, advice and networking opportunities.
Try: The National Press Photographers Association offers a mentorship program that pairs NPPA members with veteran print or television photojournalists. The mentorship usually lasts at least a year, and participants can have more than one mentor, and participants can choose a mentor from anywhere across the country, not just in their own city or state. Women Photojournalists of Washington offers a six-month mentorship program open to students and to staff and freelance photographers.

Get specialized photojournalist information through workshops and seminars

If you're an established photojournalist, seminars can help you learn about new methods and trends within the industry, or allow you to gain more experience or knowledge in specific areas. And, because they're short-term, lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days, you don't have to worry about juggling full-time work and your education.
Try: The Poynter Institute offers online seminars in visual journalism, in topics ranging from basic technical skills to ethical issues. For more intensive, one-on-one training, attend the Eddie Adams Workshop, a four-day gathering of professional photojournalists and 100 students who attend tuition-free, and are selected based on their portfolios.

 

  • Attending any college, and especially top photojournalism schools, can be expensive. Many professional associations offer scholarships, fellowships or other financial assistance, or can refer you to other programs that help fund education. Many of these programs are open to both beginning students and professionals returning to school.

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