Photo Editor, National Geographic

National Geographic Media is the publisher behind National Geographic's signature content, breathtaking photography, iconic magazine, and unsurpassed social media presence. This division is responsible for engaging Nat Geo’s audience with unparalleled storytelling and pulling them into a recurring revenue relationship with the brand. The Nat Geo Media team covers everything on the consumer journey, from creating and publishing print, digital, social, video, and audio content to generating awareness through social and newsletters, acquisition, and retention marketing; managing print operations and international licensing; and developing the brand’s digital and social platforms. Nat Geo Media aims to become the largest publisher for everyone passionate about exploring the world and learning how to care for it.

Within NG Media’s Editorial team, the Visuals department is responsible for producing and curating visual content for National Geographic across photography, video, and immersive digital experiences, for use in both print and digital platforms. It builds and maintains relationships with a diverse group of global contributors who not only create visual content but develop wide-ranging and ambitious editorial ideas for the brand. The team is tasked with creating compelling, groundbreaking, best-in-class work that advances our understanding of the world.

Job Summary:

The Photo Editor is responsible for researching, curating, and editing visual content for National Geographic’s most visible platforms, with a particular focus on digital. This includes content for 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, collaborating with National Geographic editors and staff photographers as well as contributing photographers and writers. While the Photo Editor will work across a range of subjects—including wildlife, nature, science, travel—this role will have a special focus on developing a visual language and approach to our digital content about history and archaeology. 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:

• Photo Production: Collaborate with staff photographers on portraiture, reportage, conceptual, or still life; work with ideas and photographers in the studio or on location.
• 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.
• 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; verify credit line; check image veracity when in question; and make images available for broader use across platforms.

Minimum Requirements:

• Proven deep, expedient research skills (with agencies, individual contributors, archives, libraries, social media)
• Drive to reach new audiences, an understanding of and appreciation for audience data and SEO-friendly presentation
• Enthusiasm to collaborate on new ideas, ability to think in fresh ways about how to best represent our stories visually
• Self-motivated and resourceful
• 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
• 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, Photo Supreme, Premiere, FTP, and all social media platforms
• Excellent visual taste and a wide-range of knowledge about and appreciation for visual storytelling and photojournalism
• Some experience with / knowledge of National Geographic’s core subject areas preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of experience with photo research or photo editing