What to Expect

Students in photojournalism programs learn how to communicate to readers through pictures.

John Loomis took photojournalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia. And he thoroughly enjoyed himself.

"I love being in a position which offers an outlook on life that is unique," he says. "I love being paid to make pictures of beautiful things and people -- and I love trying to tell the stories that are hard, and disgusting, and terrible, in order to create a body of knowledge and educate people."

He says he constantly thinks about how to perfect his craft. "Before you go to sleep, you are thinking about stories, and how the access could be found to tell them. You are thinking about the pictures ingrained in your head that you try desperately to make. You think, non-stop, 365 days a year."

Elizabeth Roberts was drawn to photojournalism by the people she hoped to meet.

"People are the best part about this career," says Roberts, a graduate of a photojournalism program. "Being a photojournalist enables you to meet so many different people with sometimes incredible stories to tell."

She says she spent a lot of time outside of class, at times as much as 14 to 20 hours a week, shooting, doing homework, research and attending seminars.

How to Prepare

"I would heavily recommend to any young photographer that is interested in learning more to go and find a professional to talk to and spend time with," says Loomis.

"The other classes that I took which have helped me directly as a journalist, and a photojournalist, are every other class I took that wasn't journalism," he adds. "The most important part of journalism is having a base of knowledge against which you can critically analyze and understand the stories and issues facing the communities you are reporting in."

Anyone who wants to take photojournalism can't avoid shelling out for quality equipment, says Roberts. "Students should have good photographic equipment in the mid- to high-quality end. Cheaper cameras really aren't made for the demand. Students should have a camera, flash and meter, off-camera flash cord, tripod and head, wide angle and long lenses and a good bag to carry everything."

She also recommends taking photography and writing courses in high school. "Photojournalism is about both photography and writing, so both skills are key."