Stock News Photos is an employee owned, start-up website focused on providing World Class, Award Winning photojournalism to media outlets of all sizes from Fortune 500 media conglomerates to independent small market publications. We are currently looking for both experienced and inexperienced photojournalists from across the political spectrum to join our team as employee owners. If you are interested in creative and physically challenging work that has the potential to impact history, please read the Frequently Asked Questions and apply below.
I have no journalism, Copy Edit, Photography or Photojournalism experience, and I do not own a camera. Can I still apply?
Absolutely. We encourage and welcome all to apply. We are not focused on who you are or the skills you have today. We are focused on who you can become tomorrow if given the opportunity to thrive. If you can meet the job requirements, our internship is a fantastic opportunity for an aspiring Journalist/Photojournalist who will get paid to gain valuable industry experience, receive credit for published work and also earn a professional reference & letter of recommendation. This internship could lead to a permanent position with a rapidly growing employee owned company!
I have extensive Journalism, Photography or Photojournalism experience and I own a high quality camera. Where do I apply?
Frankly, this internship is best suited for inexperienced candidates, not for seasoned journalism veterans. We know that you have worked very hard to learn and earn the skills & knowledge you have acquired. You are a highly trained professional, and we will treat you accordingly. As an Employee Owned company, we offer the very best compensation package in the Media Industry, hands down, including a $500 signing bonus and guaranteed salary match. Our requirements for immediate hire are simply the industry standard. Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
- Two years professional experience as a Staff Writer
- Three years professional experience as a Freelance Writer
- Bachelors Degree or higher in the study of Writing/Creative Writing
- Three years professional experience as a photojournalist
- Bachelors Degree or higher in the study of Journalism
- Bachelors Degree or higher in the study of Photography
If you meet these qualifications, please click here
to submit your resume. Be sure to include your professional writing/photography/photojournalism portfolio and your salary requirements.
What are the requirements to join the internship program?
The requirements for entry into the paid internship program, which are not only expected company wide of interns but of veteran photojournalists alike, are vital to achieving success within the news media industry. Candidates must be:
- 18 or older
- Strong work ethic
- Committed to learning & mastering your craft
- Able to be on your feet for long periods and physically fit enough to fulfill the job duties of a Photojournalist
- Able to handle the travel rigors & erratic shooting schedule that the photography industry demands
- Able to work in all climates at any time of day or night
- Able to work calmly as a team in high risk environments
- Able to stay focused on a project long term despite extended periods with breaks in work
- Able to respect client privilege, protect all news sources identities, adhere to legal Non-Disclosure Agreements and refrain from social media while on duty
- Able to follow direction well
What is the job description?
As an owner operator, accepted candidates responsibilities will be constantly shifting day to day. One moment accepted applicants will be on location photographing a news worthy event or assisting our award winning NPPA accredited photojournalist when only one shooter is viable, then the next you will be in office working to promote the business driving traffic to the website or editing the photos you just took, researching and planning the next event to shoot, fulfilling and mailing orders from our store or any myriad of other tasks necessary for success. This is not even to mention the multitude of on going training and learning necessary to stay ahead of the tech and business curve. In plain terms, the duties of both a photojournalist and small business owner are frequently changing. The subject matter that accepted candidates will cover is vast and extensive. Ultimately, we will cover an array of some trendy but mostly traditional topics in order to diversify the income streams from our projects. Upon further entry into the interview process and once both parties' interests are protected by non-disclosure agreements, we can share with candidates our precise business model and the exact realm of the subject matter we will cover.
What kind of compensation is included with the internship?
Our employee internship program is a fantastic, unique opportunity for an entry level candidate individual looking to get into the Journalism/Photojournalism industry. It allows aspiring media professionals with the ability to get paid for learning the business while simultaneously maintaining a portion of creative and copyright control of their work, an unheard of standard in the industry. Applicants who successfully complete the internship training process will be invited to join our team as an employee owner. For those individuals enrolled in our internship program, we include:
- $100 cash compensation
- Upon completion of internship, Candidates will earn the opportunity to join as an employee owner including $250 signing bonus and paid sponsorship into the National Press Photographers Association!
- Full professional reference
- Letter of recommendation
- Complimentary premium coffee, tea, water & snacks during office hours
- $5 cash supplementary food stipend provided when on location
- Travel to and from location included
- Opportunity for tremendous financial and professional growth
It sounds like a great opportunity, but no job is perfect. What's the catch?
The catch is you will have to work hard to succeed. Yes, traveling around to different places and events researching, planning, scouting, documenting historical events & photographing subjects can be extremely fun, rich and fulfilling. Being early on the scene of a major newsworthy event or disaster & recovery effort and documenting it is exciting and full of adventure. However, anything worth doing is not often easy. In general, both photojournalism and especially business ownership have many difficult aspects. It will take a significant amount of time to produce a body of work, promote it, build a following and turn it into profit. It will not happen over night. However, If you are able to set yourself apart from the crowd, the end result can be very rewarding. Below we have included just a few eye opening statistics compiled from the the Small Business Administration and U.S. Census that help illustrate the unique and specific challenges that accompany small business proprietorship.
- 26% of all business fail within the first year.
- 47% of all businesses lose money in their first fiscal year.
- The median time for a business to reach financial solvency and turn a profit in the U.S. is 20 months.
If any if these statistics or possible outcomes are facts that you cannot handle, business ownership likely may not be suited for you, and furthermore you may want to reconsider submitting your application.
What does the training process entail?
Truly the training process in this industry never ends. There is always something new and exciting to learn even after years on the job. Accepted candidates will begin by completing a three tier paid apprenticeship program. The program consists of a total 240 hours including both classroom and practical application in the field. The first tier will be the most mentally & physically daunting and will last about 24 hours which is meant to serve as an overall candidate evaluation. Successful candidates will progress to the second tier which will be the least physical, and will include a mixture of classroom and practical application in the field. The third tier will be a continuation of classroom and field work with the addition of studio time on a more advanced level, and also include the candidates first forays into the professional side of the business. Candidates are cross trained and will gain a vast knowledge that will encompass a multitude of topics such as journalism, photography, photojournalism, editing, lighting, accounting, marketing, business administration, disaster & emergency environment training and much, much more. Depending on many factors in and outside of our control including candidate availability, frequency of news worthy events, weather conditions, the state of the economy and the social atmosphere of our nation among others, the training process will last between 12-16 Weeks. Upon successful completion of the program candidates will have absorbed a rich variety of vocational trainings and disciplines, earned numerous professional skills and become fully capable of running a successful small business.
I have had legal/disciplinary issues or I have said some things or have videos about me online that stigmatize me. Will that prevent me from qualification?
No, not at all. You are a human. Humans make mistakes. We believe in second chances and in most cases, third or fourth ones too. It's O.K. to have said or done things that you regret, that have been misconstrued or are unpopular. We're really not concerned about the silly anti-Obama or anti-Trump tweet you made, the embarrassing whatever video or any other speech or action deemed offensive by some. Just be honest and tell us. Disclosure is key. We will address any concerns we may have with you and evaluate your situation fairly, on an individual basis. To error is a human quality, to forgive and accept does not seem to be unfortunately.
I have strong political positions and refuse to work with, give a platform to or cover people who do not share my political views. How will you be able accommodate me?
In short, we won't accommodate you. This is one of the most common questions we receive among young applicants. We cannot accommodate such narrow thinking. Truly, if this is your stance, it is advised against your applying with us as you are not likely fit for our organization, or for the integrity of photojournalism in general. You will eventually cover something on the job that repulses you, makes you furious or simply offends you, no matter what your political position or religious affiliation. You will have to cover Political topics from opposite sides of the isle as you for these are popular newsworthy events. For instance, you may have to cover both pro-life and pro-abortion rallies with as un-biased of coverage as possible, no matter your position on the subject. Or perhaps you will cover both pro-Biden or pro-Trump rallies, always acting in a professional manner regardless of how you vote. It is more than possible that you may be on scene around people who have just lost everything or even a loved one in a recent tragedy, and to treat them less than or refuse to share their story because they voted or think differently than you is long on the spectrum of evil and at absolute odds with the essence of what journalism is.
I have been told by some that my views or beliefs are "fringe", "conspiratorial" or "unconventional". I have even been ridiculed or ostracized for them. Can I still apply?
Yes! In fact, you just may be who we are looking for. We always
respect everyone we work with no matter their opinions, political views or beliefs. We completely understand your concerns, they are well founded. Our staff will treat you will nothing but kindness and respect.
What if I decide that photojournalism is not for me or I have a major life event that prevents me from continuing in the internship? Will I be financially liable or responsible for anything?
No, you are not responsible for anything financial or otherwise. You may quit the internship at any time for any reason, no questions asked. The signing bonus is paid on a standard corporate internship schedule:1/3 at the beginning of the internship, 1/3 halfway through and the final 1/3 upon completion of the program. You keep without penalty what ever portion of the bonus you have earned at the time of your departure. If you do successfully complete the internship however and become an employee owner, then just like every small business owner in America you are responsible to your business partners for your portion of hard work towards the success of this company.
I have a full-time job, children or other time commitments that prevent me from starting full time. Am I still eligible?
Certainly. For the right candidate, we will happily accommodate a part-time schedule. However, this is ultimately a business and as the company, profits and revenues grow, so must the time commitment made by the candidate.
