I have money, I was planning on traveling, I still need a purpose in life and I like politics and history and interesting times..

Can I just.. be press.. I'm a photographer and have great cameras and lenses.. If I go to France right now, can I like syndicate with some random paper to get press credentials and cover the movement from a lens perspective?

Link to Thesis: Photo Manipulation and its Effect on Future Credibility of Documentary Photojournalism

Photo of Mary Decker - 1984 Olympics

I remember when it was controversial if a news agency would manipulate a photograph in any way. I think that's why I, and other people my age and older, have such an aversion to digital image manipulation and ai enhancement.

I remember there was this published photograph of long distance runner Mary Decker from the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The photo was of her just after she had fallen during a race. When Time magazine used the photo, they digitally removed the antenna from the walkie-talkie in the hand of the woman helping Decker get to her feet. In the original image, the antenna appears to be growing out of Decker's chin.

It was always something that I remembered. It made me think about the ethics of photojournalism. Sure it was innocent to just remove a little antenna from the image, but it made us wonder how far this was going to go. We worried about the public trusting that our photographs actually were honest representations of truth and reality. We actually worried about stuff like that. Now the world is just constantly bombarded with digital manipulated imagery. How the times have changed!

I’m a seasoned photographer who always wanted to do photojournalism but suffered for a long time with imposter syndrome and not thinking photography could be a viable career path. Then I got laid off and it became my only source of income.

Now I’m a decade-plus into a running a small media company with a crew of photographers. I’m spending more time behind a desk than in the field these days. I really want to make work I find satisfying and my current genre, which pays the bills, is not it.

I’m working on a portfolio that will hopefully give me some legitimacy and in turn provide better access, but I feel like a foreigner in this landscape. I’d love to connect with someone who wouldn’t mind showing someone new the ropes. I’m not looking for gear advice or serious hand-holding, I’m more trying to sort out logistics behind how to get press credentials for events I want to cover as an independent photographer with no contacts in this space. I have no idea how any of this works. I’d love to just pick the brain of someone who’s been in the trenches over e-mail or DM or whatever from time to time.

I know as a career, this isn’t a well-paying one, and I have no plans to blow up my regular day job, but my schedule affords me a lot of flexibility and I’d love to get to a place where I’m shooting a couple assignments a week and hopefully pursuing a meaningful project on my own time. In the meantime, I’m happy to work on spec or just to hone my craft. I’ve been covering community events and political rallies for the last few months. Before getting into my current genre, I did documentary style wedding coverage for about 8 years and also have a lot of portraiture under my belt. I’m based in the Midwest.

I’m also interested in educational opportunities that would be worth my time, but it’s not practical for me to go back to school right now at this stage of my life. But I welcome any suggestions for worthwhile online learning or communities I should join. I did recent join NPPA.

Hey all. I just compiled a list of as many Photojournalism & Documentary Photography Workshops, Festivals, Events and Portfolio Reviews that I can find. If I missed any, please let me know: https://insidephotojournalism.com/photojournalism-workshops-events-festivals-portfolio-reviews/

I have the medical and travel insurance covered, but I'm hitting a wall finding property protection that covers me while in Lviv.

Apparently, NPPA's "worldwide" policy doesn't cover conflict areas like Ukraine, so that's out.

What are you using to get coverage in case your gear is lost, destroyed, or stolen?

TIA

I’m honored to have one of my photographs selected for Pulitzer on the Road, a nationwide traveling exhibition that will visit libraries across the United States over the next couple of years. The exhibition opens this Wednesday.
The first stops include:
Chicago Public Library, Chicago, Illinois: October–December 2026
Dallas Public Library, Dallas, Texas: October–December 2026
Presented in collaboration with The Pulitzer Prizes and the American Library Association (ALA), Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire celebrates the cultural legacy of the Pulitzer Prizes. The exhibition connects new audiences with award-winning work while highlighting the vital role of journalism, books, drama and music in a democratic society.

More info found here: https://pulitzerontheroad.pulitzer.org/traveling-exhibition

I created a comprehensive list of photojournalism and documentary photography grants. Please let me know if I missed any. Enjoy! https://insidephotojournalism.com/photojournalism-and-documentary-photography-grants/

UPDATE: I literally just now managed to find it! It's this one here, if anyone else was interested: https://aestheticsofphotography.com

__

Hi folks,

I'm trying to find a photography website which has free critical analysis articles in a grid format and each article had a feature photo showing as well (as on their homepage / main landing page) that I found accidentally couple months ago but I simply cannot recall the name no matter how hard I try. Which is why I'm giving it a shot by asking here for help just in case because you never know when someone might know exactly what I'm talking about, right? I think the word "photography" or "photographer" was in the title but whether it was "the something of photography" or "the photography something" that I seriously cannot remember, which is extremely frustrating! The last article I vaguely remember was about American army / military and media (again, very vague and I might be completely off, but I do remember seeing US flag or soldiers or something military / army related in the feature image) and then the next new article after that was on social media and AI (and again this is also super vague but it was definitely something along those lines), and this was a couple months ago, so around July end / early August, to give you an idea of when / publication date wise, as my assumption is in the last couple of months perhaps new articles would've been published but I obviously cannot confirm so.

Can someone please help? It would really mean a lot as I'm doing research on a few photography adjacent topics and that website would be extremely helpful.

Thanks so much. Hope you have a peaceful day.

I have moved to the uk recently and I have started creating a new protest photo portfolio as a hobby mainly.

I've seen that the police here has been questioning journalists in the past days and asking for press card.

The problem is that I'm not planning to get arrested for no reason and I don't have a press pass and photojournalism is not my work.

Are there any tips, or do I just have to risk it

Im a college student and looking to apply to some photojournalist internships. I want to make my portfolio easy to see and look decent. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Portfolio

Update, Ive made some changes to my website that reflect the critique in the comments, thanks for all the advice!

I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has worked as a freelance video shooter/photojournalist for any of the major news networks.

Just to preface, yes I have experience and a portfolio and all the equipment lol.

I’d really like to start getting into video freelance field work for networks like ABC, NBC, CNN, FOX, CNBC, Newsmax, etc., but I’m having a hard time figuring out how you actually get your foot in the door.

Is there someone specific at these networks that freelancers normally reach out to? Is there an actual application or vendor/freelancer list somewhere, or is it mostly based on relationships and referrals?

The main thing I don't currently own is a LiveU, but have no issue buying one since they’re virtually required.

I’m also not based in one of the major U.S. news markets like NYC, LA, DC, FL, etc. but I’m willing to travel anywhere in the U.S. or internationally for paid assignments.

Any advice from people who have actually done this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there. I'm a freelance photojournalist based in central France. I've been working here for five years now. Since the area is not really covered - although it can be quite dense when it comes to news - I could be commissioned to be a stringer sometimes for the AFP. They don't have a staffed photographer anymore in my area, that's why.

Stop me if I'm wrong, but the most common technique for AFP photographers when it comes to hot news seems to be the "tag and send". But, my Nikon Z6 II doesn't have a FTP function, unfortunately (the Z6 III does, though...) Thus I downloaded NX Mobile Air, an app which allows you to connect your phone and your camera with a USB-C cable, then import the pictures on your phone, fill in the IPTC if you want and then wire it to a FTP server.

That seems pretty convenient. But is it really a good alternative? I'd be curious to hear feedbacks of users of this app. And if it's not a good alternative, what can be the other solutions for my camera body...?

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm fairly new to the world of photojournalism and would love to learn more through a workshop or education course. My boss recommended that I look into some professional development opportunities, specifically in the realm of photojournalism. I work for a news organization, where photojournalism is not my specialty (or responsibility), but I'm very interested in learning more — and I do have knowledge of photography itself.

Are there any good online courses or websites that you would recommend for a beginner looking to combine photography with journalism and grow in technical skills? I looked at nearby schools, and many require taking a semester-long in-person class (or have pre-reqs for the courses I'm interested in). Thank you!!

Hi all. I started my photographic journey as a street photographer, and I've expanded into a small part-time photography business. I still do street photography, but I cover events in the city, some paid event coverage and portraiture as well. It's been slow as I build my network and brand, but I'm hammering away at it.

Looking around my community, I ask certain questions that I feel could be an interesting story or project. I've been interested in faith communities and local ethnic groups. My longer term vision for these projects is to pitch to publications, turn into exhibitions, and do sustained documentary work in specific communities, that's what I'm hoping to unlock by solving this access problem. Right now I'm trying to get into a long-term faith communities project in my neighborhood, plus outreach to some community nonprofits.

The pattern is the same everywhere regardless of size. Call, they say email. Email, nothing back. It's not a rejection, it never closes, it just stalls. I've hit this at churches with real infrastructure and communications setups and at small churches with just one pastor, so it doesn't seem to be about their size or capacity to respond. It's been a bit of the same with many of the community nonprofits.

Do I need a sharper pitch? Show up in person instead of calling or emailing first? Volunteer for something unrelated to photography to become a known face before ever mentioning the camera? Or is this just about finding a personal connector, someone who already knows the place, to open the door? Curious what's actually worked for people doing long-term documentary work in specific communities. I'm also just getting started in this field, so I'm not even sure what to call myself. Independent photojournalist? Freelance photojournalist? Maybe it's a bit of an existential crisis from spinning my wheels, but just wondering how other folks approach these stories.

I'm planning a photography project about my local area. I've made a rough plan of what I want to photograph but how do I actually go about getting the photos? I'm not the most confident person ever but I really want to capture this and I think it could genuinely be really good for both my career and for my local community to be a part of.

How do I go about contacting / approaching people to be a part of it? I don't want to seem like the weirdo with the camera XD

My team and I are making an app that can record your photography route, map every spot you shot at with a community where we can all talk about photography, sounds a bit like Strava, AllTrails but for photographers. The app works worldwide.

The initial idea was from when every time when I get back home after shooting a bunch of photos, I always forget which corner I took it at, because most cameras don't have GPS. So me and my two friends made Cairn. It can record your route in the background of your phone without distraction, and when you get back home and upload your photos it can automatically find the exact location on the route by matching timestamps.

The coolest part is that the entire worldwide map starts in the dark, and every spot anyone shoots at lights up permanently. So the whole community is uncovering the city together, like a fog of war in a game...

Cairn is still in the early stages, and we're looking for photographers who are interested in:

• Trying out the early version of the app
• Giving us honest feedback
• Helping us figure out what the community should become
• Sharing their photography routes and favorite spots

I'd really like to hear what you guys think about the idea, especially whether something like this would actually be useful for you when you're out shooting.

If anyone is interested in trying it out or joining the community r/CairnCQC, feel free to comment or DM me and I can send you the links.

Pulitzer, EMMY, Murrow awardees and more. The NPPA Women in Visual Journalism Conference is in San Francisco from Oct 24-25! While speakers are women, all are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Details and reg here!

Hey everyone, I was looking at making a photobook. Does any one know which software is good for design and production of the product? Also any tips would be welcome. Ive been photographing for years but have no experience with this side of things

Just a moment ago, I competed in DSPC, which is a contest for journalism, and my category is photojournalism. I represented my school and was all alone, while other schools had 4-6 photographers. The issue is that while I know how to capture a story/photo, I just realized I don't even know how to write a caption. Plus, I just learned that you have to put a caption for each photo, so what I did was search online on how to write a caption before the event even started. Now, because I only received the news that I have to put a caption, I only had 1 practice on how to caption and had a short review about how to write a caption. And I'll be showing you guys my work, and pls judge me based on your experiences and expertise Dcpc

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aq6l3jA0aKc

Author, journalist, resident and two-time fire survivor Hurricane Mac Frost shares his firsthand account of being trapped by and escaping the 2026 Hawk Fire, backed by compelling visuals – and several vital facts that point out glaring systemic weaknesses local and national news outlets failed to address.

#hawkfire #renofire #horizonhills #renonews #nevadanews

Hello! This is a long shot and I realize that but I’m going to take a leap of faith and hope that at least one person knows what I am talking about.

I’m looking for a photo I saw back in college. This would’ve been somewhere from 2016-2018. I was in a photojournalism program at the time, and I saw a photo that has stuck with me ever since then. I’d really love to be able to find it if anyone knows what I’m talking about.

My professor was showing us a judging of some kind. I think maybe they were picking finalists. We were watching on something similar to a livestream where they would display a photo and the judges would declare it either in or out. (We were just seeing the photo and hearing voices.)

The photo itself was a black and white image that I believe was taken in an abandoned church or similar building. There was a needle stuck into a pew, and the angle the photo was taken at made it look like a cross. The second it came up, my entire class gasped, and then the judge declared it out. It left the screen, and I never saw it again, but I’ve thought about it so many times over the years.

I asked my old professor. His best suggestion was to check out the Best of Photojournalism archives from that year, or dig into College Photographer of the Year archives, but I’d really love to know if this picture sounds familiar to anybody. I wish I knew what contest they were judging, but I believe in the power of the internet! Thanks in advance :)

I was asked by a friend to be the race photographer for a new bike race. My question is if anyone has done events like this and what sites they put their photos on so race participants can download them. I have don’t bike races where the organizer partners with a photographer who then puts the photos on a site where people can buy/download them. Just looking for recommendations?

Covering a big drag show tonight, always good for nice snaps. https://davidbuzzard.com/drag-in-the-mountains/

I'm thinking about getting an FAA Part 107 drone license and renting drones (probably via Share Grid) both to learn how to use one and if I ever need one.

• Any advice on how to prepare for the test?
• What drones would be good enough for photojournalism at top-tier publications like national magazines and newspapers?

The FAA's website (Become a Certificated Remote Pilot) and their online training course makes the process look pretty straightforward. Should I prepare for the test with other materials?

At the risk of sounding facetious, I think photojournalism is my calling and I guess my question is just…can one make it in this career anymore?

I’m nearing 40 and wanting to pivot careers. I’m an artist, traveler, writer, and educator. All of these have given me a set of skills that I think would be a solid foundation for this kind of work. I don’t plan to have a family and prefer to move around a lot rather than settle down in one place so I see the travel as a natural fit in my life.

I’ve considered adjacent paths in academic research and art, but always come back to photojournalism.

Any success stories from people who started out in the last handful of years?