Find what you are looking for

or search by

Topics

Article
Article

Article

e-Book
e-Book

e-Book

Video
Video

Video

Campaigns
Campaigns

Campaigns

Architecture
Compact Cameras

Compact Cameras

Architecture
DSLRs

DSLRs

Architecture
Videography

Videography

Architecture
Astrophotography

Astrophotography

Architecture
Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless Cameras

Architecture
Architecture Photography

Architecture Photography

Architecture
Canon Technologies

Canon Technologies

Architecture
Low Light Photography

Low Light Photography

Architecture
Photographer Interviews

Photographer Interviews

Architecture
Landscape Photography

Landscape Photography

Architecture
Macro Photography

Macro Photography

Architecture
Sports Photography

Sports Photography

Architecture
Travel Photography

Travel Photography

Architecture
Underwater Photography

Underwater Photography

Architecture
Photography Concepts & Application

Photography Concepts & Application

Architecture
Street Photography

Street Photography

Architecture
Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Architecture
Lenses & Accessories

Lenses & Accessories

Architecture
Nature & Wildlife Photography

Nature & Wildlife Photography

Architecture
Portrait Photography

Portrait Photography

Architecture
Night Photography

Night Photography

Architecture
Pet Photography

Pet Photography

Architecture
Printing Solutions

Printing Solutions

Architecture
Product Reviews

Product Reviews

Architecture
Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography

Tips & Tutorials >> All Tips & Tutorials

Kickstarting A Photojournalism Career

2016-05-31
0
9.36 k
In this article:

So you want to be a photojournalist. You’ve seen the work in the Times and National Geographic magazines and have been inspired to make a difference in the world. But before you head off to war-torn lands, find out what it takes to get your foot in the door of this fascinating career.

Canon EOS 760D, EF50mm f/1.8 II lens, f/2.5, 1/80sec, 50mm, ISO 200 by Carlos Pina

Get schooled 

Most news publications will require a journalism degree and some formal training in photojournalism, so taking a course will help ease your transition into the industry. While some might argue that in photography, your work ultimately speaks for itself, learning how to write captions and headlines definitely wouldn’t hurt.    

Be a people person

Photojournalism tends to be more people-centric, so don’t be afraid to get out there! Approach people, ask questions and do your legwork – you aren’t going to find any stories sitting in your car.

Canon EOS 760D, EF50mm f/1.8 II lens, f/1.8, 1/1250sec, 50mm, ISO 100 by Carlos Pina

Learn from the pros

There’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from industry veterans, especially if you’re new to photography altogether. Pick up some magazines and newspapers and take note of the professionals whose work inspires you. You’d be surprised how much you can learn this way.

Build a portfolio

It goes without saying that any photographer worth his salt has a portfolio, as no one is going to engage you if they don’t know what you’re made of. Get into the habit of having your camera on you at all times – the more you shoot, the bigger a pool of images you’ll have to choose from to showcase.

Canon EOS 760D, EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, f/7.1, 1/100sec, 25mm, ISO 100 by Carlos Pina

Be seen

Build a website, start a Flickr account or get on Instagram -- get your work out there! Many a times photographers get work through their online portfolios, so make sure you’re easily contactable.

Canon EOS 760D, EF50mm f/1.8 II lens, f/1.8, 1/100sec, 50mm, ISO 100 by Carlos Pina

Take initiative

Don’t wait for assignments, look for them yourself and pitch stories to editors. Send your portfolio to various publications. Be proactive! You can easily find contact details of editors online and offline, so there’s no excuses.

Canon EOS 760D, EF50mm f/1.8 II lens, f/1.8, 1/160sec, 50mm, ISO 100 by Carlos Pina

Be (properly) equipped

If you’re genuinely serious about pursuing photojournalism as a career, then invest in professional-grade equipment. For starters, you’ll at least need a camera body, wide-angle and telephoto lens and an editing suite.

 

Mona Teo
Profile of writer

Mona Teo is a writer based in Singapore who believes that there is nothing more powerful than the written word (not counting coffee). An avid scuba diver and traveler, she relies on her Kindle to get her through flights and seeks inspiration from the world around her.
Share your photos on My Canon Story & stand a chance to be featured on our social media platforms