For Student Media Photojournalists

All Staff

All staff photographers must:

• have a 2.00 minimum GPA;
• be full-time students;
• regularly attend training and critique sessions (approximately every two weeks);
• attend weekly assignment meetings; and
• maintain an enthusiastic interest in photojournalism and learning about all aspects of the field.

It is not a requirement that staff members have their own equipment

Intern

Interns are new photographers that have not gone through training. To complete the internship program, an intern must:

• complete the internship program; and
• demonstrate an understanding of camera mechanics, image composition, and photojournalist ethics.
• work as a staff photographer for at least one semester
• produce a photo portfolio containing at least 10 single images and five-image photo story

Staff Photographers

Staff photographers are employees of Student Media and are responsible for the completion of assignments they accept. All assignments must be turned in by the assigned time, following the correct procedure set forth by Student Media, which includes, but is not limited to, properly captioning and naming photos. Photographers are paid for each printed image.

Qualifications:

Staff photographers are expected to:

• complete the internship program; and
• demonstrate an understanding of camera mechanics, image composition, and photojournalist ethics

Expectations:

In addition to the requirements for all staff members, staff photographers are expected to complete at least three assignments per week.

Senior Staff Photographer

Staff photographers are employees of Student Media and are responsible for the completion of assignments they accept. All assignments must be turned in by the assigned time, following the correct procedure set forth by Student Media, which includes, but is not limited to, properly captioning and naming photos. Photographers are paid for each printed image.

Senior staff photographers get priority when assignments are given out. They are expected to regularly shoot and edit.

Qualifications:

• work as a staff photographer for at least one semester
• produce a photo portfolio containing at least 10 single images and five-image photo story

Expectations:

In addition to the requirements for all staff members, senior staff photographers are expected

• to complete at least five assignments per week;
• to maintain their portfolio;
• to enter at least one photo contest per semester;
• to volunteer as an “on-call photographer” regularly; and
• to attend one off-campus workshop per academic year sponsored by the Student Media.

Photo Editor

The photo editor is responsible for the images that appear in that publication. In addition, the photo editor is the manager and leader of the photography staff. The photo editor serves at the pleasure of the editor who will select the photo editor through an open application process.

Specifically, the photo editors

• distribute photo assignments given by section editors
• find himself/herself on call to shoot assignments or to make assignments in spot news situations
• responsible for the correction of each photo to ensure the highest quality when the photo is printed;
• conducts critiques with the photo staff;
• keep open lines of communication with other editors to ensure the best quality photos and paper;
• complete payroll for the photo staff each month. Each payroll sheet must be signed by the photo editor as well as the editor;
• recruit and train new Student Media photographers. The training includes attending retreats and having professionals come to talk with the staff on a monthly basis, and regular critiques;
• maintains regular office hours that are posted outside his/her respective office
• works with staff photographers to edit photos after completion of an assignment
• maintains the organization of the photo server
• ensures that all photographs have proper captions and are properly named
• develop staff understanding of photojournalistic guidelines and ethics; maintain the highest standards of ethics
• maintain an open line of communication between other Student Media photo editors
• serve as a liason between other staff members and the photography staff

In addition, the photo editor for the Technician

• edits photos at least four nights a week. On other nights, a senior staff photographer may edit, often with assistance from the photo editor;
• attends daily budget sessions

Qualifications:

• The editor of the publication hires the photo editor based on a letter/position paper and resume as part of an open application process. The photo editor reports to the editor or managing editor. In addition, the photo editor
• has worked as a senior staff photographer for one semester
• has demonstrated a desire to learn proper imaging techniques
• has led at least one monthly critique

Freelance Photographer

Rarely, the Student Media will print a photo submitted by a non-staff member. Typically a full-time student, these individuals do not have the privileges of staff members. They may not check out equipment that belongs to the Student Media and may not use Student Media facilities. Free-lance photographers may be paid, by the item published, no more than regular staff photographers. Free-lance submissions are not considered assignments and photographers who make such submissions are not considered volunteers or employees of Student Media. As such, the copyright of their images remains with the photographer who must grant the publication rights to publish the image in the edition for which the image was submitted as well as online versions of that media.

Photo Credits

Photo by (name) or name/publication or Staff photo by (name)

This photo was taken for the Student Media by an employee or volunteer working for the Student Media. Photographers will get paid each time such photos are published.

Photo courtesy of (name) or Photo contributed by (name) or Photo by (name)/special to (publication)

This photo was given to the Student Media by a non-staff photographer or free-lance submission. Photographers may or may not get paid for such submissions.

Photo illustration by (name)

This is not a documentary photo. It has been altered to appear unrealistic and should not deceive the viewer. Photographers who would otherwise get paid for the photos comprising the photo illustration will get paid for the photo illustration.

File photo by (name)

This photo was taken this academic year, but not within the last day or so. It might have run in past editions. Photographers will get paid for such submissions.

Archive photo by (name)

This photo was taken from the archives from previous academic years. It might have run in previous editions. Photographers will get paid for such submissions if they are still on the Student Media staff.