GET HIRED AS A JOURNALIST - How I became a TV News Photographer

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Starting your career as a Photojournalist right out of college may seem hard to do, but if you follow these steps your transition will go amazingly. I explain how I started as a floor crew camera operator, then got promoted to become an editor, and finally landed my job as a TV News Photographer.

One major misconception is that many people believe you have to have been a journalism major at your university. But that isn't true - many TV stations, including the one I currently work at (KOB TV, channel 4 news) will hire people with any degree at all, as long as you demonstrate your skills through making a reel. Putting a reel together is one of the best pieces of advice that I have for anyone interested in getting a job at a TV station. I was a film student, and they didn't bat an eye at hiring me. I was able to use my knowledge I got from film school to learn a new type of visual storytelling.

Here I explain how I got my first broadcast journalism job in the industry, and how filming and editing a reel helped me get hired. Additionally you can't forget the importance of writing a resume and cover letter. Tailoring your resume and researching your cover letter are two vital steps that I don't see enough college students doing as they try to apply for jobs in the field of broadcast journalism.

Here I present my lessons about getting a job in video broadcast news. Whether you're wanting to be a photojournalist, a reporter, a producer, or an editor, you can follow the steps I took in order to land an interview and ultimately get a job at a TV news station.

Considering a career in video journalism? The steps I took in order to start my life as a photog, and what I did to land my first impressions. How I used my knowledge of Adobe Premiere Pro to get hired as an editor, and then learned how to edit in AVID via on the job training.

A bit of vernacular for ya'll, the job of being a photojournalist is also called being a 'photographer' or even shorter - a photog.

Knowing about visual human storytelling has been the bedrock of my success in the world of news professionals. It has been crucial for me getting my footage aired on TV.

Why I moved from Las Cruces to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I had to move for my job, because I wanted to work as an editor, and then as a photographer at KOB-TV in ABQ NM.

A camera operator, also called a cameraman or camerawoman, "films the action" on the sets of movies and television shows, or at live events like concerts and sports competitions. When a news reporter broadcasts from a remote location or a television studio, the camera operator records it for the audience at home to watch either live or at some later time.

How to Become a Camera Operator
Many employers prefer to hire job candidates who have a bachelor's degree in film, broadcasting, or a related discipline. This formal training, however, is not enough. Camera operators must know their way around a tv or movie set. To gain experience, many begin their careers as production assistants. This job includes running errands and tending to simple tasks.

What Soft Skills Will Help You Succeed in This Career?
Will you make a good camera operator? The answer to this question depends on whether you have specific soft skills. These are personal qualities you were either born with or acquired through life experience. Camera operators must be creative. They need excellent visual skills and eye-hand coordination. The ability to pay attention to detail is also essential. Camera operators collaborate with producers and directors, making superb listening and speaking skills a necessity.

What Employers Will Expect From You

"Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time"
"Can carry up to 50 pounds"
"Ability to work flexible schedule, including nights and weekends"
"Ability to work from a standing position for a 2-3 hour period"
"Must be eager for unique camera shots"
"Ability to multi-task and work in a high pressure fast paced environment, usually with tight and changing deadlines"
"Must be available to work all shifts, including early mornings, evenings, holidays, and weekends"
"Dedication, patience, and stamina are needed"

News Cameraman job

IG: waldenglass

#newsjobs #journalismcareer #cameramanjob
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Thank you Jesse for the WONDERFUL VIDEO which I have been able to share with my high school DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION CLASS as we learn about ENG/EFP CAMERAS.

I have been teaching communications media for the past 28 years to high schoolers and it is wonderful to have videos such as yours to give "first-hand experience accounts" to the students!

THANK YOU!!!

puskare
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I'm in college right now and found i have an interest in working at a tv station too after getting involved my senior year of high school in our newscasts. My teacher was a Chief Photographer at my local station for 13 years and worked as an editor, photographer for 6 years before getting his promotions. He's really helped me improve my storytelling and editing skills and he says I've got a very strong foundation so far. I too am wanting to get into the film industry and make movies but I realized that news is still storytelling at the end of the day and it would allow me to pursue my passion for storytelling. Your video was very inspiring and I too have saved everything I've shot since high school, still a freshman in college but look forward to hopefully getting a job at a TV station after college too. I've done some job shadows but they've been at some pretty decently ranked stations so I'd like to look into some smaller stations as a start.

everettsalmans
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Today i decided to look into quitiing my job as a mechanic and getting into a videographer position. I started to make videos and learn video editing nust over a year ago but quickly began to enjoy it. Now i think i want to try to take the next step and begin working on a resume and applying at local positions. I didnt go to school for this but i have been learning a lot from different teachers and online. This video has motivated me further, thank you.

vapewavesandsubarus
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In seven years I have done a little bit of everything - I started as a Production Assistant running studio cameras - then I was a fill-in newscast director - I also was trained to photog during this and helped the news department - after a sudden opening I became a morning show producer for a year - then I jumped ship to the number one station in the market as Morning Editor / Photog - and Now I am the Senior Drone Pilot and Photojournalist --- Got some nice awards at the Iowa Broadcast News Association Awards now hoping I win an Emmy (7 times nominated and still haven't won :( ) - I'm also acting as the Chief Photographer while our Chief is our Sports Director because our Sports Director is out for several months due to medical issues - so it's been a whirlwind to say the least.

brettfunke
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thank you for this! I guess I need to work on my reel now lol

ralphjones
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Jesse, may I ask you about MMJ work? I have newsroom experience. On-air and producing. Also, sports and weather. How do I get into MMJ today? What is the entry level pay? How about high-end earners? How are they getting to that point? What about international? Working outside of USA. Is that good and payed well? Is there freelance or are MMJ usually working for one station?

howUlikemenow
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Been a news photographer for 5 years right out of college. Had a somewhat similar experience where I interned at Time Warner Cable (Spectrum News) and I really wanted to work in film or TV production but those were hard to fill but they had me shadow photographers and for a long time I swore off I wouldn't do it because I don't know if I would enjoy it or understand it. But after 7 months of no job offers I decided to put myself out as a news photographer and got my first job in Johnstown PA at WJAC and since then I've been in the career and am currently in my 3rd station in my hometown again. It has its highs and definite lows. I love the work I do but sometimes the stress and with a lot of recent current events that I'd say we're traumatic it became tough for me to be optimistic. But I'm watching this and I see a lot of myself in this and I hope it keeps me motivated to want to do better and stick with it. I wish you the best in your future and us news photogs gotta stick together and support each other.

gamerful
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I’ve been taking pictures since I was thirteen. My first camera was an old 110mm camera. I now take photos and video with an iPhone 13 Pro.

dorothysewing
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I hope you pull through man! Your video got me excited to be in this field

JamesCNews
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Amazing you’re really lucky, my school have no idea what are there student doing.

EdmondM
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What an awesome story!! Thanks for the advice!! Can't wait to see the rest of your journey!!

TimWhiteTheTimTernLife
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Hello Jesse! I really enjoyed watching your video! It really helped me a lot. My major is Communications and Journalism for my Bachelor of Arts degree. I am looking forward for internship about journalism soon. I am 26. Again, you are very successful of what you do. No matter what you do. I am very proud of you! That is great you were a great film student. Back in my local community college as my Associate of Arts degree, I took a couple acting and journalism courses. I always did well on those courses. Also, I took photography course as well! I am interested in working at entertainment industry. That is part of who I am. You have great skills in journalism, film, and photography. That is great! You have great content in the video. I am looking forward to work as a journalist and actor on tv. I am going to school for becoming an actor and journalist. I have become an author this past November, and I do not have to go to school for that. I did it on my own as building the content of the book. My book title is called “My Life Journey with Autism as a Military Child”. It is available in Amazon. I am also looking forward to have interviews as an author! I am working on my second book for right now. My book title is called “As a Military Child with Autism while Adjusted to New Places”. It might have the same content as the first book, but different chapters and introduction in my second book. I just completed with my Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts on May 2023. It took me 6 years to complete with my Associate of Arts degree as a part time student from community college. I have been attended to community college for 7 years because I was a part time student from a community college, including from a university. After I completed with my Associate of Arts degree, I just started working on my Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Journalism. Hope you enjoy reading a little introduction of myself. Good luck with everything you do, Jesse! I love the materials you do. You did a great job as a photographer. That is great! God bless you and your family.

the_real_andresjorgeortiz
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My station just got back into camera work for events and local news. It was a huge wake up call when I did some event coverage yesterday LOL. I am not in camera shape and focusing on the subject felt. It was once muscle memory for me but it just felt so weird.

chavitavb
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I wish you would make more videos! I want to become a news photographer in the future & I can't really find content like this anywhere.

OrangeYTT
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i really enjoy this video, thank you so much for sharing your story.

djacidTV
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Awesome video 👍🏻
As someone interested in this field it was great to hear your perspective and how you got where you are.
Keep up the great work 🙂

cappicturesinc.
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Excellent advice, thank you for sharing your journey.

oliviayp
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This is my second time watching this and I'll keep coming back when I need the motivation to take some initiative for trying to get into the TV industry. As my course is nearing it's end, I'm scared/nervous, but super eager to find my first foot the industry. Great video, I love the advice.

jakrowland.visuals
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Big ups to a fellow former part timer who'se climbing the ladder! Took me about two years to get full time. Good luck man.

mitchlagge
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Truely an inspirational story, Upwards and Beyond . 💛💛

Johni.Salusalu