Career as Photojournalist

Last Updated By Shreya Sareen on 15 Feb, 2022

How to Become a Photojournalist

About Photojournalist

Storytelling is a crucial part of Journalism, be it in written/spoken or through impactful visuals. Photojournalism is a unique and competitive field in which a person shares his/her views and ideas in the form of photographs related to the current news and happenings. Professionals in this career pursue a bachelor's degree program in photography or journalism to gain practical exposure while some are mostly self-taught. Nowadays, photojournalists create their portfolios while approaching the clients to mark their professionalism and face the cutthroat competition.  Graduates who want to grow in this career often start with internships or assistantships with some agencies, this helps them create a good network and achieve full employment. Formal training and degree programs are essential in enhancing the skills and personal style of students to grab good opportunities in the future.

Eligibility to become Photojournalist

Here are the eligibility requirements for Photojournalist along with the experience required, skills, certification, etc.

Degree Level

To pursue photojournalism, no degree is required. However, a bachelor's degree will be a plus for students in getting job opportunities. 

Certification

No certifications are needed to be a photojournalist but a student can grab lucrative opportunities if they have membership in

the American Society of Media Photographers.

Required Experience

Candidates with internships and professional portfolios are highly preferred.

Key Skills

Attention to Detail, Image & Video Editing, Research Skills

Speed, Flexibility, Technical Skills, Networking, Communication Skills, Organisational Skills.

Median Salary 

$41,280 per year (for photographers)

Types of Job Roles Photojournalist

Photojournalism is an art of storytelling through the use of photography. Mentioned below are the job roles available for students in Journalism.

  • General News Photojournalism 
  • Spot News Photojournalism
  • Feature Photojournalism.
  • Portrait/Personality Photojournalism 
  • Sports Action Photojournalism
  • Pictorial Photojournalism 
  • Illustration Photojournalism 

Students can check the list of photography and media courses and programs mentioned below.

  • Bachelor of Journalism (Photojournalism)
  • BA (Hons) in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
  • Bachelor of Arts in Journalism: Concentration in Photojournalism
  • MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
  • MA in New Media Photojournalism
  • B.S.V.C. in Visual Communication – Photojournalism Major
  • Diploma/BA/MA in Journalism (Photojournalism)
  • BFA in Photojournalism

Here are some popular Indian Journalists famous for taking breathtaking and fascinating pictures.

  • Arati Kumar Rao 
  • Adnan Abidi 
  • Raghu Rai 
  • Sunil Janah
  • Pablo Bartholomew

Planning to choose Photojournalist as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Photojournalist

Students can grab various job opportunities in the field of Photojournalism after pursuing the degree program. Here is the list of jobs available in the field of photojournalism along with its salary trends.

Job Profiles

Salary Trends (in USD)

Salary Trends (in Rs.)

Journalist

USD 40,000 – 1,12,000

INR 29 lakhs – 84 lakhs

Video Producer

USD 49,000 – 83,000

INR 36 lakhs – 60 lakhs

Reporter

USD 43,000 – 1,10,000

INR 31 lakhs – 80 lakhs

Broadcast News Analyst

USD 50,000 – 1,07,000

INR 36 lakhs – 78 lakhs

Photographer

USD 33,000 – 1,10,000

INR 24 lakhs – 80 lakhs

VFX Artist

USD 65,000 – 1,15,000

INR 47 lakhs – 85 lakhs

Film and Video Editor

USD 34,000 – 1,52,000

INR 25 lakhs – 1.11 cr

Multimedia Specialist

USD 33,000 – 61,000

INR 24 lakhs – 44 lakhs

Books & Study Material to Become Photojournalist

Good knowledge of various subjects is required to be a photojournalist. These subjects are as follows:

  • Introduction to Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
  • Documentary Storytelling
  • Media Theory and Media Law
  • Dissertation
  • Photojournalism in the News
  • Histories and Theories of Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
  • Understanding Exposure – Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO
  • Aesthetic Effects of Manipulating Exposure Components
  • Art Photography vs. Photojournalism
  • Contemporary Professional Practice

Here are some preparation books for Photojournalism.

  • Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs – Henry Carroll 
  • The Digital Photography Book: Part 1 – Scott Kelby
  •  Complete Digital Photography – Ben Long
  • Complete Guide to Digital Photography – Ian Farrell
  •  Langford’s Basic Photography: The guide for serious photographers – Michael Langford

Pros of becoming a Photojournalist

  • A photojournalist gets a chance to travel the world and explore new places. 
  • A person can never get bored of this job as every day he will get to do something new and interesting.
  • The career is beneficial if you have enough experience in this field.
  • Unlike other careers, in photojournalism, you will get a chance to meet and interact with celebrities worldwide.

Cons of becoming a Photojournalist

  • It is the most exciting career to opt for but is challenging too at the same time.
  • It requires flexibility as clients demand several changes in the photographs at the last moment.
  • Negative feedback is the major demotivation for a photojournalist and it often leads to decreased pay compared to other similar career options.

Do you think this is the right career choice for you?

Take our test and find out if it suits your strengths.

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FAQs about Photojournalist

What is the median salary for Photojournalist

The median salary for a photojournalist is around $41,280 per year.

Who is considered as the most famous photographer?

There isn’t a specific photographer who is more famous than anyone else. However, Tim Walker is known to be the most well-known photographer today.

How much do photojournalist earn?

Photojournalists are paid depending on their specialization. They generally earn between $30,000 to $50,000 (or more) every year. People working for newspapers and local magazines can earn around $40,000.

Do photojournalists get paid full-time?

Photojournalists get full-time job opportunities from commercial photography studios, advertising agencies, or universities. Ove you get permanent you will be assigned to concentrate on one particular area like entertainment, sports or health.

What can I do with the photojournalist degree?

Photojournalists are mainly employed by photo agencies, magazines, or local newspapers and can work as freelance photographers. The employment areas in photojournalism include print, television, and the internet.

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