Photography Jobs

Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are the foundational tools for most photography roles. Photo editors and retouchers also need strong skills in color correction, compositing, and image optimization for various digital formats. Familiarity with digital asset management platforms such as Bynder, Canto, or Extensis Portfolio is increasingly valued for roles that involve managing large image libraries. Knowledge of metadata standards, rights management workflows, and CMS image handling is also relevant for editorial positions.

Staff photography positions at newspapers, magazines, and digital publishers have contracted significantly over the past two decades as newsrooms have reduced headcount and shifted toward freelance and wire service imagery. However, staff roles persist at major metro daily newspapers, national magazines, wire services like AP and Reuters, and large digital publishers. Many media organizations have also added roles focused on visual content production for social media and branded content, which create new opportunities for photographers with an understanding of platform-native formats.

A photo editor is responsible for the selection, curation, licensing, and management of images rather than taking photographs. They work with photographers and wire services to source images for publication, negotiate licensing agreements, maintain image archives, and ensure visual consistency with a publication's style. Some photo editors also direct photographers on assignments. In smaller organizations, the same person may shoot and edit, but at larger outlets these are distinct roles with different skill sets.

It depends on the specific role. Commercial, editorial, and photojournalism work inherently requires physical presence at the location being photographed. However, photo editing, retouching, digital asset management, and photo research roles can often be done remotely. Many organizations have hybrid arrangements where photographers are on location for shoots but handle post-processing and file delivery from home or a home studio.

A strong online portfolio is essential. Sites like Format, Cargo, or a custom domain are preferable to social media alone, as they give you control over presentation and allow you to curate work by category. Keep your portfolio tightly edited to your best work in your primary specialization. If you shoot across multiple genres, consider separate galleries or even separate portfolio sites for each area. Include client names and publication credits where possible, as they signal experience and credibility to employers.