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|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2006-10-18
Who survives in photojournalism?
The ability and willingness to 'stick' is often the key to 'making it' in photography and photojournalism.
By Jim McNay, Brooks Institute of Photography
Photo by Grover Sanschagrin / SportsShooter.com
"The ability and willingness to "stick" is often the key to "making it" in photography and photojournalism." - Jim McNay
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A major east coast editor tells of reviewing a photographer's portfolio at a photojournalism conference and being impressed with the photographer's work.
The photographer had been doing a variety of assignments at a high level, had published work and thus an established track record as a pro.
"Within the next five years, you will have an assignment from us," the editor said. The editor kept the photographer in mind and mulled over the kinds of assignments the photographer should do for the publication.
The photographer reported almost five years to the day, he got a call with an assignment. That opened the door and the photographer has worked for this organization regularly ever since.
The ability and willingness to "stick" is often the key to "making it" in photography and photojournalism. This requires us to hang in there. Frankly, most of us would rather have that assignment right now, thank you very much. That rarely happens.
Yes, excellent photography skills are crucial. Yes, having a curious mind that can find stories is part of the process. Yes, the ability to pitch those stories to editors is a critical skill. And yes, having the business savvy to survive while continuing to chip away at the organizations for which one wants to work is part of the mix.
But hanging in there is part of the equation too. Washington Post-News Interactive graphics director Tom Kennedy calls this the marathon quality of one's career. This is different from those aspects that sometimes feel like a sprint. Marathons are run at a lower pace, with thought given to a long term plan about where one wants to be by when.
And if one does not hit target split times, those who plan to finish make a new target and keep running.
Like the editor at the beginning of this article, several top editors seem to have a special attraction for what can happen in five years.
Former Sygma editor Elaine Laffont has said it takes new photojournalism graduates five years out of school before they are ready to see top magazine editors. She feels it takes graduates that long to get a taste of the business, to find out their real interests in photography, and for photographers to get to know themselves as photographers.
National Geographic photography interns returning home at the end of a summer frequently express an interest in staying in touch with people at the magazine. Often they hope for the chance to do a regular assignment one day. Interns have often been told if they continue to grow as photographers at a pace similar to how they have developed so far, and if they continue to work and publish at an acceptably high level, they will most likely have a shot at an assignment in about five years.
The message seems to be one about hanging.
Not hanging out, hanging in.
Bottom line: A martial arts student once asked her instructor, "How long will it take to master this discipline?"
The instructor answered, "How long do you plan to live?"
Photographers, particularly those in school or seeking to break into the photojournalism, are welcome to send ideas for future columns to Jim McNay at jim.mcnay@brooks.edu.
Questions about getting started in photojournalism that might be answered in future columns are also welcome.
Related Links:
Brooks NPPA Student Chapter
Brooks Institute of Photography
Jim McNay's Member Page
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