Thinking Out Loud: On Photojournalism

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’d love to delve into photojournalism. From my interview with Jason Moore’s Photoshop and Photography Blogroll:

“In an ideal world, I’d be a traveling freelance photojournalist and blogger. I’d love to travel to conflict zones or poverty-stricken areas of the world, take photos and write about it for a living.”

So, there you have it. Desire? Check. Camera? Check. Now what?

I’ve been browsing the Internet recently looking for, and reading, a ton of information on photojournalism. One of the articles I found to be most informative was this one from National Press Photographers Association. The article indicates two paths to a career in photojournalism. The first, and more practical, is an internship. Unfortunately, this isn’t much of an option for me since I have a full-time day job. Of course, it is possible that I could save up some money, take some time off and do it, but, for the time being, it’s not going to happen right away and I’m an impatient person.

The other option presented was, literally, just going and covering conflicts. From the article:

“Traditionally many journalists have jump started their career by finding a hot conflict zone offering an insurrection or civil war. With several months of gritty coverage a writer or photographer might make their reputation in a way that would take years if they worked their way up the ranks at home.

“Some photographers find this a fruitful path. However in the areas where full-blown armies are going at each other, the risks are substantial and may not be recommended for individual photographers without major organizational backing.”

As many of you have already read, I am traveling to the West Bank in June to do some volunteer work with Palestinian children on a refugee camp. I participated in this program once before in 2005 but, at the time, I really wasn’t taking photography seriously. (You can see some of my photos from the trip here.) I have plenty of good friends there with whom I communicate on a daily basis. Through those connections, I have access to the PR departments at two major Palestinian universities.

Of course, above and beyond anything else, my primary reason for going is to work with the kids on the camp. But, beyond that, how can I best leverage this in terms of building a portfolio or really starting down the path of freelance photojournalism? Or, best-case scenario, actually getting my foot in the door at some of the major news/journalism firms as a photographer?

The article goes on:

“An enterprising storyteller has to think about what new information they will capture as part of their being on this scene says [freelance photojournalist Max] Becherer. ‘If all you want to do is embed then the trail is well worn,” he says. ‘As soon as you step off the plane you are in the battlefield. Actually being able to report on Iraqis or outside of the bases is a totally different ball game.’”

Journalists and photojournalists have been to the West Bank before. News coverage “from the streets” is very limited but it has been done. So, the question becomes, “What should I do differently?” Do I begin a project that has a specific theme? Do I couple my photography with documentary-style journalism? For example, interviewing people who have lost family members in the conflict? Interviewing parents about how the conflict affects their children? Interviewing people who have loved ones in jail?

And beyond that, do I build the portfolio and send it to agents? News agencies? Do I try and publish a book?

What are your thoughts? Are there any aspiring or working photojournalists out there that can offer advice or ideas?

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts as I think out loud…

NOTE: I completely understand that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an extremely controversial subject for many people. This is a conflict and region that has held my interest ever since I was a teenager so I am well aware of the opposing views regarding the history of the conflict and the current situation. It is not my intent to promote one view over any other so please limit your comments to the question of photojournalism in this context.

Tags: career, Featured, israel, palestine, photojournalism, volunteer, west-bank