Photographer/Videographer

USA-Today-Co.; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Athens Banner-Herald, part of USA Today Co. and the USA TODAY NETWORK, seeks a digitally savvy visual journalist to craft distinctive stories across platforms.

You’ll emphasize fast, high-quality video, photos, and galleries for breaking news, sports, and features, collaborating with editors and reporters. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, 2 years in visual journalism, and comfort with AI/automation to enhance journalism.

Qualifications

• 2 years of professional experience in visual journalism and video creation.
• Strong news judgment, planning skills, and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to prioritize, multitask, and pivot quickly as news and assignments change.
• Proficiency in SEO and optimization for visuals.
• High-level communication, time management, and planning skills.
• Openness to feedback and commitment to continual improvement.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and travel as news and sports require.

Responsibilities

• Produce, shoot, and edit high-quality video and still images that inform and engage our audience.
• Develop and pitch timely visual story ideas, including videos and photo galleries.
• Turn around video and still images quickly for assignments, often filing from the field.
• Use audience metrics to shape coverage decisions and refine visual storytelling.
• Maintain and regularly update visuals on digital platforms to keep coverage current.
• Build strong relationships with editors, reporters, and the community, contributing to coverage plans.
• Develop trainings and workshops to help reporters grow their visual skills.
• Serve as primary photographer for University of Georgia sports for the Athens Banner-Herald and the USA Today Network.

Skills

Video production

Visual storytelling

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications

Tools

SEO for visuals

Job description

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY , and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest , a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ , supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at USA TODAY Co., you should be completing an application on USA TODAY Co. Careers viaDayforce . Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. If you are a California resident, you acknowledge that by applying for a job with us, this California Job Applicant Privacy Notice will apply to our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information. To connect with us, visit www.usatodayco.com

The Athens Banner-Herald , part of USA Today Co. and the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a highly skilled, digitally savvy, experienced visual journalist to join our team and create distinctive visual storytelling across platforms.

T his journalist will use visuals, with a heavy emphasis on video, to inform and engage our key audiences, as well as illustrate the must-read journalism produced by the newsroom. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative and fluent in digital journalism toolswith an emphasis on fast, high-quality video production and photo galleries for breaking news, enterprise coverage, and sports. They will cover daily assignments for sports, news, public safety, politics , features, and more. They will bring their own original ideas to the table and take initiative to pitch and execute compelling visual stories that serve audience needs. Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism.

This position will work a Tuesday – Saturday shift, with flexible hours that depend on that day's assignments .

What you’ll do

• Produce, shoot, and edit high-quality video and still images that accurately informand engage our audience.
• Develop and pitch timely visual story ideas, including videos, photo galleries, and other multimedia.
• Quickly turn around video and still images for assignments, often filing from the field and juggling multiple projects.
• Use audience metrics to shape coverage decisions and refine visual storytelling.
• Maintain and regularly update visuals on digital platforms to keep coverage current and relevant.
• Build strong relationships with editors, reporters, and the community, contributing to coverage plans and newsroom collaborations.
• Be a resource for the newsroom, helping to develop relevant trainings and workshops for reporters looking to develop their own visual skills
• Serve as the primary photographer for University of Georgia sports for the Athens Banner-Herald and the USA Today Network.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2 years of professional experience in visual journalism and video creation
• Strong news judgment, planning skills, and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to prioritize, multitask, and pivot quickly as news and assignments change.
• Proficiency in SEO and optimization for visuals
• High-level communication, time management, and planning skills
• Openness to feedback and commitment to continual improvement.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and travel as news and sports require.
• Build strong relationships with editors, reporters, and the community, contributing to coverage plans and newsroom collaborations.

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where USA TODAY Co. employs employees. In addition, USA TODAY Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at [e-mail] . Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.