Photo Editor, National Geographic

Job Summary:

The Photo Editor is responsible for researching, curating, and editing visual content with a nuanced eye for National Geographic’s most visible platforms such as National Geographic magazine, digital, and social, with a focus on special title magazines (bookazines), Kids magazine, and Little Kids magazine.

Bringing a great eye and editorial integrity to the role, he/she/they will work quickly and accurately to research visual content across a range of subjects—including wildlife, history, nature, science, travel—collaborating with National Geographic editors and staff photographers as well as contributing photographers and writers. He/She/They will understand long form storytelling and visuals for various age groups. The role offers an opportunity to apply knowledge and appreciation for visual storytelling and photojournalism as well as new ideas to develop fresh ways to represent our stories visually and to reach new audiences.

Responsibilities:

• Photographic Research: Research, curate, and license photography for all editorial platforms, with a focus on Special Topic newsstand titles, Kids, and Little Kids magazines; and to provide support on workflow, billing, contracts, and other photo logistics. Ensure that budgets and deadlines are met; caption information is gathered and disseminated; verify credit line; check image veracity when in question; and make images available for broader use across platforms.

• Storytelling Collaboration: Work closely with designers to craft compelling visual narratives, ensuring the most accurate and impactful storytelling. Collaborate with researchers, writers, and copy editors to refine content, maintain factual accuracy, and align visuals with editorial intent.

• Photo Production: Collaborate with photographers on portraiture, reportage, conceptual, or still life; work with ideas and photographers in the studio or on location.

• Research and pitch visually innovative and original uses of existing images and packages, demonstrating an understanding of the different platforms and audiences.

• Digital Production: Design and build stories in CMS with eye to strong visual pacing. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience with photo research or photo editing

• Excellent visual taste and a wide range of knowledge about and appreciation for visual storytelling and photojournalism

• Enthusiasm to collaborate on new ideas, ability to think in fresh ways about how to best represent our stories visually

• Drive to reach new audiences, an understanding of and appreciation for readers of all age groups.

• Proven deep, expedient research skills (with agencies, individual contributors, archives, libraries, social media)

• Strong communication and collaborative abilities

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines

• Ability to multitask and to balance short and long lead deadlines

• Self-motivated and resourceful

• Ability to negotiate rates with relevant contractors and third parties

• Proficiency with Airtable, Microsoft Teams, Adobe products, , and all social media platforms

Preferred Experience:

• Some experience with / knowledge of National Geographic’s core subject areas (wildlife, history and/or archaeology, nature, science, and travel) strongly preferred.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Degree is Photojournalism a plus)

***Please note, this team is in office 4x/week (Monday – Thursday, working from home on Friday) from our Washington, DC office.  This role is not open to any other location.

The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $78,200.00 to $104,800.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.