Photojournalism As A Career: 9 Things You Need – Besides A Camera

You’ll be wrong (and you won’t be the only one) if you think that you just need to spend X thousand dollars on some top professional camera equipment, and then you’re on your way to becoming a successful photojournalist. It takes a whole range of skills. So ok, what do you need? Here is a list of 9 things that’s essential to make it as a photojournalist – besides the camera!

1. Flair for the visual

Goes without saying. You need to have some talent, be artistic and have creativity in the visual world. Some are born with a fantastic visual awareness, others need to develop it. We now live in a visually over-saturated world, so it’s easy to find sources of inspiration. Go to exhibitions, read photo books, look in magazines etc. Find out what style you like. Don’t try and copy it, but use it as inspiration to create your own visual style. Everyone can take a picture of something. Professional photojournalists need to do it with style!

2. Technical know-how

You need to know some basics about the technical side of photography. Not much, really, and not very difficult. You don’t need an engineering degree it optics or anything like that. But we live in a digital world and besides camera/optics, it will be helpful for you if you are handy with a computer and photo software. You will use it all the time! Knowing some basics about web design and multimedia production can also be of great benefit.

3. Business savvy

Don’t think that if you’ve made a beautiful photo story, someone out there will automatically find it and pay you handsomely for it. Someone might, but you could wait a long time for that to happen. This is where you need to have business savvy. Try to learn about the photo industry and the market you are in. Develop negotiation skills. Be prepared to turn down a sale if you don’t like the conditions. It pays in the long term! And have good business practices in general so your clients will recommend you and come back to you again and again: Be professional. Show up prepared and on-time. Deliver what you promise, when you promise. There’s no room for failure in professional photography. Think long-term when it comes to business.

4. Money in the bank

If you’re just starting out as a freelance photographer / photojournalist, you’ll probably need to hang in some time before you have generated enough sources of income to keep you afloat. This might be anywhere from 6 months to 6 years. Depending on your talent, savvy, dedication and luck! Even if you’re working as a fairly established freelancer, next month’s income is not always certain. Photo equipment is expensive, it needs to be maintained and replaced every now and then. So it takes a bit of capital to avoid going broke in the process of building your career.

5. A good physical shape

Oh yes, it’s a physical job! You don’t need to be an Olympic contestant, but you do need to be prepared to stand or walk for extended periods of time, sometimes carrying heavy equipment. In all kinds of weather. At all times of the day (and night). And sometimes in dodgy situations where you might need to run fast!

6. Nerves of steel

In those dodgy situations, or when the adrenalin kicks in for whatever reason, you need to keep your calm, compose and time your shot, get the right angle, focus and exposure. In less dodgy, more everyday situations, you need to have the nerves to break the ice, get intimate with strangers, step away from the crowd and not to freeze up when you are finally face to face with the moment you’ve been waiting for.

7. Persistence

When pursuing a shot, a story or a sale, don’t give up when someone says no. Look for other ways to achieve your goal. If it was easy, everyone would already have done it! Sometimes it’s just a matter of being patient. If something didn’t work out the first time, then wait a bit and try again.

8. Know your story

Working as a photojournalist, it’s also important that you have something to say. Don’t just take dull pictures of nice or ugly things. Photography for the sake of photography is called fine art photography. Not photojournalism. Make sure you have an idea or some intent with your work.

9. Passion

Like I wrote in the beginning, it isn’t always easy being a photojournalist. So it’s important to enjoy your work. Have fun! If you are not happy and don’t care about your subjects, it will show up in your photos. So enjoy your work!

Good luck!