Staff Photo Editor

A Photo Editor for The New York Times should possess a creative eye, an elevated aesthetic, sharp technical skills and outstanding journalistic judgment to join the team responsible for commissioning and presenting photography for news, features and enterprise stories.

The primary duties of this job are to plan for and execute on print presentations of New York Times photography. You will be responsible for the print layouts of a wide array of news and feature photographs, working collaboratively with editors, designers and fellow photo editors in the newsroom. You will have a strong command of current events, and of the commissioned work of Times’ staff and freelance photographers, as well as a firm understanding of all other sources of photography, including wire services, agencies and archives.

You have a strong demonstrable passion for photography, journalism and visual storytelling of all kinds, and you possess a broad knowledge of the current photographic landscape. You are a team player and a good communicator. You are comfortable with change and able to thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. Excellent news judgment, and a firm sense of journalistic ethics are both essential, as is a strong design sense and knowledge of photographic usage and copyright issues.  

This is a Guild position based in either San Francisco or Los Angeles, CA.

Responsibilities:

• Planning, preparation, sourcing and execution of print layouts for a wide array of news and feature photographs, working collaboratively with editors, designers and fellow photo editors in the newsroom. 

• Make critical editorial decisions in a fast-paced environment, ensuring timely and accurate visual journalism.

• Demonstrate strong editorial judgment, working with Times editors and legal department for all vetting, copyright, legal and ethical questions.

• Conceive of, pitch, develop, edit, pace and build powerful and innovative visual stories.

• Maintain the highest standard of photography and multimedia presentation and assigning for feature, news and enterprise stories for all platforms including mobile, print and social.

• Collaborate with writers, reporters, editors, visual editors and photographers to shape ideas into visual story opportunities.

• Identify, vet and onboard new contributing photojournalists as needed. Ensure that new contributors are versed and committed to ethical journalistic rigor, independence and integrity. Build relationships with the photographers you are directing through briefings, regular contact and feedback.

• Work closely with supervisor and broader department, fostering productive, collegial and collaborative relationships with journalists throughout the newsroom.

• Focus on working with a diverse range of subjects and photographers, keeping our global and multigenerational audience in mind. 

• Coordinate with desk editors and security team members to ensure the utmost preparation, training and safety of our photojournalists in the field. 

• Maintain and meet your desk’s photo budget, process/approve invoices in a timely fashion.

• Attend photo department meetings to report and share your desk’s visual priorities.

• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.

• This role reports to a Deputy Editor of Photography

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years experience in a newsroom or equivalent.

• Extensive experience assigning and directing photojournalists in a variety of situations.

• Proven deep research skills.

• Expertise in handling electronic images, photographic usage and copyright issues.

• Strong technical skills, including proficiency in digital tools and programs, including content management systems, Photoshop, PhotoMechanic, video editing tools and social media platforms.

• An enthusiasm for visual journalism and current events, coupled with keen news judgment and a firm sense of journalistic ethics.

• Ability to make quick decisions under deadlines and a high-pressure news environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong organizational, communication and collaborative abilities.

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in fast-moving environments.

• The initiative to take on and learn new technologies and tasks.

• Willingness to work a flexible schedule as news demands.

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

REQ-018419