This job requires talent as both a writer and photographer. People who do my work have to react quickly to capture newsworthy events on film. They must be able to compose and arrange unique pictures. They need patience and the ability to put people at ease. Photojournalists should be willing to spend long hours traveling to news locations, often on short notice.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism. In college, I took pictures for the stories I submitted to the student newspaper and sold some of my pictures to small neighborhood newspapers. I keep a portfolio, which is a collection of my best work, to show to prospective employers.