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How can I better my chances to get my dream job (environmental photojournalist)

I want to work for national geographic, but have heard that it is VERY competitive. What can set me apart and make me more appealing to them for me to achieve my dreams?

#environment #photojournalism

environment photojournalism
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David’s Answer

You will find this career path to be very rewarding. However, many photographers today are freelance given the changes to the economic model that the industry has faced. Therefore, you should build up your portfolio and develop connections with media journalists and editors. That will help pave a path for freelance work where your portfolio can be noticed by some of the larger editorials like Nat Geo among others.

But the single most important thing is: Concentrate your photography in an area that you are truly passionate about. Passion shows in the result.
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Kevin’s Answer

Hi! First off, what a great dream career!

As you noted, it's an incredibly competitive position. And also as you may have checked, there are some important qualifications that National Geographic has listed here: http://help.nationalgeographic.com/customer/portal/articles/1409678-how-can-i-be-a-photographer-for-national-geographic-


Photographers for National Geographic will be freelancers and are hired on an assignment-to-assignment basis. They also note that photographers will normally be highly specialized in a certain area, such as aerial photography. So the first piece of advice I would give is to start building a portfolio. Go out and start taking unique images that tell a visual story.


The second piece of advice would be to build up your skills in a special area. Is it perhaps wildlife photography? Underwater photography? Landscape? Portraiture? What is an area that you're attracted to, after reading National Geographic?


Third, start keeping an eye open for opportunities to freelance or submit images to publications.


4. Upload your images into Your Shot, which will allow your photos to gain feedback from professional photographers and sometimes even National Geographic photo editors: http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/


Continue to read this page and see some of the tips: http://help.nationalgeographic.com/customer/portal/articles/1409678-how-can-i-be-a-photographer-for-national-geographic-


Keep your eye on the prize and never give up! Good luck!

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Kitty’s Answer

In addition to the previous amazing suggestions, I would say to go find out if NatGeo has an internship program you can join and also connect with other NatGeo employees on LinkedIn. The search functionalities of LinkedIn are tremendous and I believe there are learning modules to help if you need them. Best wishes!

Kitty recommends the following next steps:

National Geographic Internship
LinkedIn Networking
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