How do you use your strengths in your job?
It takes creativity to make compelling photographs of everyday
events, and curiosity and empathy to find meaningful stories.
Because photojournalists seek to document situations without
influencing them, we often have to improvise to make the
best of less-than-ideal conditions. It takes patience to
wait for events to unfold, and good problem-solving skills
to quickly adapt to changing situations.
What was your biggest learning challenge in school?
I had a tendency to put off work until the last minute. The night
before assignments were due I'd pull everything together in one
marathon session. It has always taken the pressure of an impending
deadline to motivate me, so it's fitting that I've ended up working
for newspapers where meeting deadline is a daily concern.
What motivates you to go to work?
From day to day, I never know where I'm going to go, whom I'm going
to meet or what event I'm going to photograph. The variety
of the day is rewarding, and the constant challenge of learning
to be a better photographer and a stronger storyteller keeps
me motivated.
Every job has specific skills. What do you need in yours?
On the most basic level, a photojournalist must have the technical
skills to use cameras, lenses and lighting equipment effectively.
Beyond that, the job requires creativity, an understanding of how
light, composition and storytelling moments work together to make
successful images, and a feel for how multiple images work together
to advance a visual narrative. More than I ever anticipated, it
takes strong interpersonal skills to relate to subjects from all
walks of life and put them at ease so they will allow a stranger
with a camera into their personal space. |
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