Photojournalist, AJC

Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Seven paid holidays

Bereavement leave

Voting leave

Jury duty leave

Volunteer time off

Military leave

Parental leave

Job summary

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is seeking a field-based photojournalist to capture people, places and moments across Georgia for daily assignments and breaking news. You will work across local news, investigations, politics, education, features, entertainment and sports, delivering distinctive visual storytelling for our digital platforms.

A successful candidate is a journalist first, with exceptional visual instincts, strong news judgment, and the ability to work under tight deadlines in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2 years' related experience or equivalent
• Portfolio demonstrating exceptional news photography and storytelling
• Proven ability to photograph breaking news in fast-moving situations
• Experience covering elections, political campaigns or major events a plus
• Strong editorial judgment and ethics of photojournalism
• Ability to write accurate captions and contextual information
• Proficiency with Photoshop/Lightroom and Photo Mechanic
• Willingness to travel across Georgia and work irregular hours

Responsibilities

• Photograph daily assignments and breaking news across metro Atlanta and Georgia
• Produce compelling original photography across news, politics, sports, culture and features
• Respond quickly to breaking news with independent editorial judgment
• Collaborate with reporters and editors to develop visual approaches
• Cover major events including elections, protests, weather and sports
• Be prepared to travel throughout Georgia and beyond as needed
• Deliver and transmit photographs quickly from the field under deadlines
• Write accurate AP-style captions and metadata
• Coordinate with video, social, graphics and digital teams when applicable
• Stay current on photographic technology and storytelling techniques
• Develop longer-term visual stories and photo essays with input from visual editors

Skills

News photography

Documentary storytelling

Visual range

Strong reporting

Captions & metadata

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

Tools

Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom

Photo Mechanic

Job description

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is one of the most storied brands in journalism, with a legacy that stretches back more than a century. Our MISSION is to be the most essential and engaging source of news for the people of Atlanta, Georgia and the South, and we have a vision to transform this great institution into a modern media company. That's where you come in. We are looking for a photojournalist who can capture the people, places and moments that define Georgia every day. This is a field-based, general assignment journalism role for a photographer. You will work across local news, investigations, politics, education, features, entertainment and sports, including high school, college and professional teams. Your photography will reach audiences across our digital and social platforms. You will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the most accomplished journalists in the South and produce distinctive visual storytelling. You'll tell stories across metro Atlanta and parts of Georgia, from our home base in one of the nation's most dynamic and fastest-growing cities. A successful candidate is a journalist first, with exceptional visual instincts, strong news judgment and the ability to make memorable photographs in unpredictable and fast-moving situations.

Some Of Your Job Responsibilities

• Photograph daily assignments and breaking newsacross metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia, including coverage connected to our bureaus in Savannah, Athens and Macon.
• Produce compelling original photography across a wide range of coverage areas, including news, politics, sports, entertainment, culture, features, investigations and enterprise journalism.
• Respond quickly to breaking and developing news while exercising strong independent editorial judgment in the field.
• Work with reporters, editors and other visual journalists to develop creative approaches to daily and enterprise stories.
• Photograph major events, including elections, political events, protests, severe weather, major breaking news and high-profile sporting events.
• Be prepared to travel throughout Georgia and occasionally beyond the state as coverage demands.
• Deliver, edit and transmit photographs quickly and reliably from the field, often under tight deadlines.
• Write accurate, AP-stye captions and metadata that meet the AJC's journalistic and ethical standards.
• Collaborate with the AJC's video, social, graphics and digital teams when stories lend themselves to broader visual treatment.
• Stay current on photographic technology, visual storytelling techniques and evolving audience behaviors.
• Work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays as news and major events require.
• Develop longer-term visual stories and photo essays that illuminate the people, communities and issues shaping Georgia in conjunction with input from visual editors.

The Qualifications And Experience You Should Have

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 2 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and up to 2 years' experience; or 6 years' experience in a related field.
• A portfolio demonstrating exceptional news photography, documentary storytelling and visual range.
• Proven ability to photograph breaking news and work effectively in fast-moving, unpredictable situations.
• Experience covering high-profile events such as elections, political campaigns or conventions, demonstrations, severe weather or other major news. Experience covering major sporting events is a plus
• Strong editorial judgment and a deep understanding of the principles and ethics of photojournalism.
• Demonstrated ability to find strong photographs and visual stories beyond the obvious or expected image.
• Ability to work independently in the field while collaborating with reporters, editors or other journalists.
• Excellent reporting, communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work sensitively with people experiencing difficult or traumatic circumstances.
• Strong writing skills for accurate captions and contextual information.
• Ability to edit and transmit photographs quickly under deadline pressure.
• Proficiency with Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom and Photo Mechanic.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments and shifting priorities during a fast-moving news cycle.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly for assignments and work an extended or irregular schedule when news demands it.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to assignments throughout Georgia.

USD 29.38 - 44.09 per hour

Compensation

Hourly pay rate is in the range of $29.38 - $44.09/hour. The hourly base rate may vary within the anticipated range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include commission (annual, monthly, etc.) and/or an incentive program.

Benefits

Employees are eligible to receive a minimum of sixteen hours of paid time off every month and seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.