How to Become a News Photographer

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Learn the steps you need to take to become a news photographer and tell a story using pictures.

Step 1: Learn the basics
Develop a working knowledge of news photography through self-education or photojournalism classes.

Step 2: Build a portfolio
Create a portfolio. If you are a still photographer, put together a collection of your best photographs with captions. If your goal is to work in television news, make a video demo.

Step 3: Gain experience
Receive real-world experience through internships at newspapers, magazines, or television stations.

Step 4: Be Persistent
Get the story done even if people don’t cooperate. Persist until you find people who will.

Tip
The key to success is telling a story with multimedia and digital tools.

Step 5: Be ethical
Present your work in the original way it was shot and avoid any manipulation. Distorting any facts will damage your credibility.

Step 6: Become familiar with the business side
Learn about business issues such as contracts, copyright law, and finance.

Step 7: Keep up with the technology
Understand new technologies and stay up to date on equipment such as new cameras or hard drives.

Step 8: Don’t do it for the money
Be passionate. Most photojournalists don’t become rich, but still earn plenty to live on.

Did You Know?
Did you know? The term photography comes from the Greek words "phos" meaning "light" and "graphos" meaning "writing."