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News photojournalist skills for your resume and career
Updated January 8, 2025
1 min read
Quoted experts
Scoobie Ryan,
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical news photojournalist skills. We ranked the top skills for news photojournalists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 34.2% of news photojournalist resumes contained edit video as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a news photojournalist needs to be successful in the workplace.
15 news photojournalist skills for your resume and career
1. Edit Video
Here's how news photojournalists use edit video:
- Write text and edit video of new and updated stories for posting to station website and social media platforms.
- Create graphics and edit video to produce compelling visual news stories for broadcast and online use.
2. Newsgathering
Newsgathering refers to the hectic searching for information on a hot topic or a noteworthy event that recently took place. News reporters, writers, or editors typically do newsgathering for a public broadcast or a news site. The time frame for researching the topic is usually very slim; therefore, the task requires a quick-minded and influential person. The reporter must investigate the job instantly and be in the right place at the right time.
Here's how news photojournalists use newsgathering:
- Maintain all newsgathering equipment as necessary.
- Researched stories using a broad range of sources for newsgathering.
3. News Coverage
Here's how news photojournalists use news coverage:
- Manage, organize, and photograph various assignments, as well as breaking news coverage, requiring constant last-minute availability.
- Promoted to assigning and coordinating photographers for daily news coverage.
4. Assignment Desk
The assignment desk is the powerhouse of every newsroom or news agency where reporters and camera crews are assigned certain locations where news can be gotten. They are also assigned newsworthy information and the desk serves as the melting pot of activities in the newsroom. The assignment desk monitors activities across the country keeps an eye for breaking news and direct reporters to where it's happening.
Here's how news photojournalists use assignment desk:
- Worked closely with assignment desk and producers on best way to tell story.
- Provided supervisory oversight to weekend assignment desk and directed assignment of weekend reporters.
5. Live Shots
Here's how news photojournalists use live shots:
- Set up and establish audio and video signal, shoot stories, edit footage and transmit packages and live shots.
- Set up microwave live shots for newscasts and breaking news cut-ins.
6. VO
Here's how news photojournalists use vo:
- Edit daily news packages, VO's & VO bites on Adobe Premiere.
- Edit daily news stories, VO's & VO bites on DVCAM Decks.
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Here's how news photojournalists use hd:
- Set up lighting, mobile workstations, wireless microphones, and HD cameras to create a live shot for the reporter.
- Operated airborne HD camera aboard Sky 4 news helicopter.
8. SNG
Here's how news photojournalists use sng:
- Operate and help maintain Live equipment including SNG trucks and LiveU equipment.
- Experience operating both Microwave Live and SNG equipment.
9. Feature Stories
Here's how news photojournalists use feature stories:
- Promoted events and recognized accomplishments of Ball State University students and school organizations through written press releases and feature stories.
- Set up interviews and write feature stories for these afternoon newscasts Monday through Friday.
10. Camera Equipment
Here's how news photojournalists use camera equipment:
- Reported, produced, edited, anchored, and operated camera equipment.
- Operated and troubleshoot live trucks / equipment, video camera equipment and editing programs.
11. Sony
Here's how news photojournalists use sony:
- Gather and report the news daily, operation of live trucks and editing equipment, Sony Beta xp.
- Operated Sony BetaCam camera, VTR editor and other photography equipment.
12. Edit News Stories
Here's how news photojournalists use edit news stories:
- Photograph and edit news stories for broadcast Proficient in linear and nonlinear editing.
- Photograph and edit news stories for broadcast Operate microwave truck for "live" on-the-scene broadcasts.
13. News Events
Here's how news photojournalists use news events:
- Covered community news events from nonprofit organizations to government stories.
- Coordinate live programming on location for multiple networks and affiliates from major national news events.
14. Live Truck
Here's how news photojournalists use live truck:
- Operate Electronic News Gathering Live Truck.
- Gather and report the news daily, operation of live trucks and editing equipment, Panasonic dvcpro gear.
15. News Gathering
Here's how news photojournalists use news gathering:
- Operate LIVE-U SYSTEMS for Electronic News Gathering and Entertainment field and Studio Production.
- Use Camera equipment for news gathering purposes.
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What skills help News Photojournalists find jobs?
Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.
What skills stand out on news photojournalist resumes?
Scoobie Ryan
Associate Director, University of Kentucky
Traditional skills on a journalist's resume are important-writing, editing, and storytelling-but we're seeing demand for things like the ability to fly a drone and use it to gather video. A student who has an FAA drone pilot's license on a resume plus the ability to shoot and edit video shot using a drone stands out. As a result, our Drone Journalism class is very popular.
Students who can use a variety of hardware and software are in demand for MMJ jobs. Our students get experience with Canon DSLRs, Sony Mirrorless, 360 cameras, GoPro Fusions, and more. They learn to use the Adobe Creative Suite. Students also need to be able to shoot, edit and post a story using just a smartphone.
Knowledge of social media is essential-not just how to use it, but its rhythms and pace. Students must understand how to promote a story on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, livestream it on Facebook, and post to YouTube.
Producers are in high demand. They must be able to know how a story will develop and stay ahead of it. They need to write well on deadlines, work collaboratively, stay calm, and multi-task.
It helps if they're platform agnostic. We encourage them not to think of themselves as print reporters, broadcasters, or web producers. Journalists who can find the truth, verify it and present it using the platform best suited to reach their audience are in demand.
Students who can use a variety of hardware and software are in demand for MMJ jobs. Our students get experience with Canon DSLRs, Sony Mirrorless, 360 cameras, GoPro Fusions, and more. They learn to use the Adobe Creative Suite. Students also need to be able to shoot, edit and post a story using just a smartphone.
Knowledge of social media is essential-not just how to use it, but its rhythms and pace. Students must understand how to promote a story on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, livestream it on Facebook, and post to YouTube.
Producers are in high demand. They must be able to know how a story will develop and stay ahead of it. They need to write well on deadlines, work collaboratively, stay calm, and multi-task.
It helps if they're platform agnostic. We encourage them not to think of themselves as print reporters, broadcasters, or web producers. Journalists who can find the truth, verify it and present it using the platform best suited to reach their audience are in demand.
What news photojournalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson
Assistant Professor of Journalism, Belmont University
Now more than ever, we need journalists to hold those in power accountable and write unbiased, ethically sourced stories. Journalists can inform, educate and help create a more informed society that leads to a strong democracy. Journalists can uncover corruption, lift up the marginalized and explain complex international issues as well as telling audiences about their local communities.
What hard/technical skills are most important for news photojournalists?
Rodger Johnson
Visiting Lecturer of Practice in Public Relations, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Writing and photography, or videography, or having all three are important hard skills to have. One's writing needs to be impeccable, not just in mechanics, but in how the journalist writes to objectively inform and to move the emotions of their readers.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about news photojournalistList of news photojournalist skills to add to your resume
The most important skills for a news photojournalist resume and required skills for a news photojournalist to have include:
- Edit Video
- Newsgathering
- News Coverage
- Assignment Desk
- Live Shots
- VO
- HD
- SNG
- Feature Stories
- Camera Equipment
- Sony
- Edit News Stories
- News Events
- Live Truck
- News Gathering
- Photojournalism
- ENPS
- Sports Stories
- Adobe Premiere
- Live Broadcasts
- News Broadcasts
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025