Photo Editor, Animals – National Geographic

Job Summary:

The Photo Editor, Animals is responsible for researching, curating, and editing visual content for National Geographic’s most visible platforms, with a particular focus on digital. This includes our print products, NationalGeographic.com and its app, Instagram and other social platforms, and our email newsletters.

Bringing a great eye, digital-first mindset, and editorial integrity to the role, he/she/they will work quickly and accurately to research visual content across a range of subjects, with a focus on natural history but also including travel, kids, science, health, and history—collaborating with National Geographic editors and staff photographers as well as contributing photographers and writers. 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 platforms, with a focus on our digital platforms; 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; obtain permissions and submit for rights clearance; verify credit line; check image veracity when in question; provide image color guidance; and make images available for broader use across platforms.
• Digital Production: Design and build stories in CMS with eye to strong visual pacing. 
• Research and pitch visually innovative and original uses of existing images and packages, demonstrating an understanding of the different platforms and audiences.
• Photo Production: Collaborate with staff photographers on portraiture, reportage, conceptual, or still life; work with ideas and photographers in the studio or on location.

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 audience data and SEO-friendly presentation
• 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
• Knowledge of web tools and programs, including content management systems, Microsoft Office, Filemaker, Adobe Photoshop and Bridge, Media Pro, PhotoMechanic, Premiere (optional), 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 (preferably in Photojournalism)

The hiring range for this position in Washington, DC is $77,100 to $103,400 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.