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Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 11th 07, 11:19 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
William Graham
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,361
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.

I wrote to National Geographic asking them whether they would consider
hiring good quality wildlife photographers, and this is the response I
received....

----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 12:49 PM


Dear Mr. Graham: Thank you for your email to the National Geographic
Society.

Photography jobs on staff are very rare. National Geographic does use
freelance photographers, but to be frank, it is extremely difficult to
obtain a first assignment for the magazine. The magazine does not accept
any unsolicited submissions. The editors meet regularly to discuss
possible story ideas. If an idea is decided upon, the article is then
assigned, usually to someone with whom we've worked before or to someone
with many years of outstanding work in the field of journalism. Because
there is a large investment behind each National Geographic article, we
are conservative in choosing writers and photographers, opting for those
with well-established reputations. At this time we have many more
freelance photographers than we do assignments.

If this all sounds negative, we apologize. It is, however, a response
dictated by a rather precise goal for the style of the magazine, coupled
with the limited number of stories we are able to publish each year.

I am sorry that we could not offer more encouraging news regarding your
friend, but we appreciate your thinking of us.
Sincerely,
CL Stroud
Communications
National Geographic Society




  #2  
Old August 12th 07, 12:14 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,758
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.

On Aug 11, 6:19 pm, "William Graham" wrote:
I wrote to National Geographic asking them whether they would consider
hiring good quality wildlife photographers, and this is the response I
received....----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 12:49 PM

Dear Mr. Graham: Thank you for your email to the National Geographic
Society.

Photography jobs on staff are very rare. National Geographic does use
freelance photographers, but to be frank, it is extremely difficult to
obtain a first assignment for the magazine. The magazine does not accept
any unsolicited submissions. The editors meet regularly to discuss
possible story ideas. If an idea is decided upon, the article is then
assigned, usually to someone with whom we've worked before or to someone
with many years of outstanding work in the field of journalism. Because
there is a large investment behind each National Geographic article, we
are conservative in choosing writers and photographers, opting for those
with well-established reputations. At this time we have many more
freelance photographers than we do assignments.

If this all sounds negative, we apologize. It is, however, a response
dictated by a rather precise goal for the style of the magazine, coupled
with the limited number of stories we are able to publish each year.

I am sorry that we could not offer more encouraging news regarding your
friend, but we appreciate your thinking of us.
Sincerely,
CL Stroud
Communications
National Geographic Society


Bill, your letter to NG is highly commendable. I salute you sir! I
am certain I know who you are talking about and I couldn't agree
more. In my opinion it's their loss.
Helen

  #3  
Old August 12th 07, 12:36 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
William Graham
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,361
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.


"Rita Ä Berkowitz" ritaberk2O04 @aol.com wrote in message
...
William Graham wrote:

I wrote to National Geographic asking them whether they would consider
hiring good quality wildlife photographers, and this is the response I
received....


What makes you think that NG is actually going to hire anyone for on-staff
when there are so many ways for them to get cheap images? There are lots
of
great wildlife photos in stock agencies as well as on other photo hosting
sites on the internet that can be had for pennies. Plus, NG wants real
photos not some Photoshop creations that scream painted in fakeness.

Well, here is my answer to that, and my answer to the NG answer, too.....

If you were a brick contractor, and I asked you if you needed any more
bricklayers, and you replied: We're sorry, but NG only lays 100,000 bricks
every year, and we already have 152 bricklayers, which is more than enough
to lay all those bricks, so we are not accepting any applications at this
time....Then I would understand your answer perfectly.
But, in fact, we are not talking about bricklayers here....We are
talking about artists. So, what I want you to understand is that it doesn't
really matter how many photographers you have already on your staff, or
waiting in the wings. - The fact is, I know one who is better than all those
152 (or howevermany) that you have........(some unimportant details deleted)

IOW, I tried to get the guy to understand that we are not talking about just
work output here. (Tons of coal shipped out to Moscow every month, or
whatever) We (or, at least I) was talking about artistic talent, and this is
a different thing entirely....


  #4  
Old August 12th 07, 12:43 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
William Graham
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,361
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.


wrote in message
oups.com...
On Aug 11, 6:19 pm, "William Graham" wrote:
I wrote to National Geographic asking them whether they would consider
hiring good quality wildlife photographers, and this is the response I
received....----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 12:49 PM

Dear Mr. Graham: Thank you for your email to the National Geographic
Society.

Photography jobs on staff are very rare. National Geographic does use
freelance photographers, but to be frank, it is extremely difficult to
obtain a first assignment for the magazine. The magazine does not accept
any unsolicited submissions. The editors meet regularly to discuss
possible story ideas. If an idea is decided upon, the article is then
assigned, usually to someone with whom we've worked before or to someone
with many years of outstanding work in the field of journalism. Because
there is a large investment behind each National Geographic article, we
are conservative in choosing writers and photographers, opting for those
with well-established reputations. At this time we have many more
freelance photographers than we do assignments.

If this all sounds negative, we apologize. It is, however, a response
dictated by a rather precise goal for the style of the magazine, coupled
with the limited number of stories we are able to publish each year.

I am sorry that we could not offer more encouraging news regarding your
friend, but we appreciate your thinking of us.
Sincerely,
CL Stroud
Communications
National Geographic Society


Bill, your letter to NG is highly commendable. I salute you sir! I
am certain I know who you are talking about and I couldn't agree
more. In my opinion it's their loss.
Helen

Well, to me it's interesting (and a bit distressing) that the guy talks
about the photography like it was only a matter of work output, and not an
artistic endeavor, or even a highly skilled trade.....You know...."Sorry,
but we already have too many bricklayers....Try again next year." So I tried
to tell him that I know one who lays his bricks a little better than the
ones on the NG buildings that I have seen......I doubt that it will make any
difference, or that he will understand that, but it is true, in any
case.....


  #5  
Old August 12th 07, 12:48 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,758
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.

On Aug 11, 7:43 pm, "William Graham" wrote:
wrote in message

oups.com...



On Aug 11, 6:19 pm, "William Graham" wrote:
I wrote to National Geographic asking them whether they would consider
hiring good quality wildlife photographers, and this is the response I
received....----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 12:49 PM


Dear Mr. Graham: Thank you for your email to the National Geographic
Society.


Photography jobs on staff are very rare. National Geographic does use
freelance photographers, but to be frank, it is extremely difficult to
obtain a first assignment for the magazine. The magazine does not accept
any unsolicited submissions. The editors meet regularly to discuss
possible story ideas. If an idea is decided upon, the article is then
assigned, usually to someone with whom we've worked before or to someone
with many years of outstanding work in the field of journalism. Because
there is a large investment behind each National Geographic article, we
are conservative in choosing writers and photographers, opting for those
with well-established reputations. At this time we have many more
freelance photographers than we do assignments.


If this all sounds negative, we apologize. It is, however, a response
dictated by a rather precise goal for the style of the magazine, coupled
with the limited number of stories we are able to publish each year.


I am sorry that we could not offer more encouraging news regarding your
friend, but we appreciate your thinking of us.
Sincerely,
CL Stroud
Communications
National Geographic Society


Bill, your letter to NG is highly commendable. I salute you sir! I
am certain I know who you are talking about and I couldn't agree
more. In my opinion it's their loss.
Helen


Well, to me it's interesting (and a bit distressing) that the guy talks
about the photography like it was only a matter of work output, and not an
artistic endeavor, or even a highly skilled trade.....You know...."Sorry,
but we already have too many bricklayers....Try again next year." So I tried
to tell him that I know one who lays his bricks a little better than the
ones on the NG buildings that I have seen......I doubt that it will make any
difference, or that he will understand that, but it is true, in any
case.....- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Bill, I'm cooking dinner for you one night. You certainly deserve at
least that! I agree with you 100%.
Thanks Bill.
Helen

  #6  
Old August 12th 07, 02:14 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Kinon O'Cann
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 268
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.


"William Graham" wrote in message
. ..

Well, to me it's interesting (and a bit distressing) that the guy talks
about the photography like it was only a matter of work output, and not an
artistic endeavor, or even a highly skilled trade.....You know...."Sorry,
but we already have too many bricklayers....Try again next year." So I
tried to tell him that I know one who lays his bricks a little better than
the ones on the NG buildings that I have seen......I doubt that it will
make any difference, or that he will understand that, but it is true, in
any case.....


My sister worked there for five years as a reseacher, and I can tell you
first hand photography is a commodity and not an artistic endeavor at NG.
They want images that can sell, period. And yes, they only hire shooter with
a deep and proven body of work. I think Nichols is the only "big assignment"
shooter left there.





  #7  
Old August 12th 07, 02:15 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Kinon O'Cann
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 268
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.


"Rita Ä Berkowitz" ritaberk2O04 @aol.com wrote in message
...
William Graham wrote:

Well, to me it's interesting (and a bit distressing) that the guy
talks about the photography like it was only a matter of work output,
and not an artistic endeavor, or even a highly skilled trade.....You
know...."Sorry, but we already have too many bricklayers....Try again
next year." So I tried to tell him that I know one who lays his
bricks a little better than the ones on the NG buildings that I have
seen......I doubt that it will make any difference, or that he will
understand that, but it is true, in any case.....


Welcome to the harsh reality in the world of professional photography. It
seems pros are a dime a dozen.


Always has been the case. It's a very desireable job, and the competition
has driven incomes down to the point where if you don't do it for love, you
have no other reason. Unless you're one of the top tier shooters, you'll
starve.


  #8  
Old August 12th 07, 03:09 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
William Graham
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,361
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.


"Kinon O'Cann" wrote in message
news:Yatvi.9353$eb4.5464@trndny08...

"Rita Ä Berkowitz" ritaberk2O04 @aol.com wrote in message
...
William Graham wrote:

Well, to me it's interesting (and a bit distressing) that the guy
talks about the photography like it was only a matter of work output,
and not an artistic endeavor, or even a highly skilled trade.....You
know...."Sorry, but we already have too many bricklayers....Try again
next year." So I tried to tell him that I know one who lays his
bricks a little better than the ones on the NG buildings that I have
seen......I doubt that it will make any difference, or that he will
understand that, but it is true, in any case.....


Welcome to the harsh reality in the world of professional photography.
It seems pros are a dime a dozen.


Always has been the case. It's a very desireable job, and the competition
has driven incomes down to the point where if you don't do it for love,
you have no other reason. Unless you're one of the top tier shooters,
you'll starve.

I think that's the case with any art. It certainly is true with painting and
music.....They aren't looking for artists....They are looking for pushy
salesmen who can push harder than everyone else......Or, at least, that's
who they hire, so that's the bottom line......


  #9  
Old August 12th 07, 03:23 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Paul[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 15
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.


"William Graham" wrote in message
. ..
I wrote to National Geographic asking them whether they would consider
hiring good quality wildlife photographers, and this is the response I
received....

----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 12:49 PM


Dear Mr. Graham: Thank you for your email to the National Geographic
Society.

Photography jobs on staff are very rare. National Geographic does use
freelance photographers, but to be frank, it is extremely difficult to
obtain a first assignment for the magazine. The magazine does not accept
any unsolicited submissions. The editors meet regularly to discuss
possible story ideas. If an idea is decided upon, the article is then
assigned, usually to someone with whom we've worked before or to someone
with many years of outstanding work in the field of journalism. Because
there is a large investment behind each National Geographic article, we
are conservative in choosing writers and photographers, opting for those
with well-established reputations. At this time we have many more
freelance photographers than we do assignments.

If this all sounds negative, we apologize. It is, however, a response
dictated by a rather precise goal for the style of the magazine, coupled
with the limited number of stories we are able to publish each year.

I am sorry that we could not offer more encouraging news regarding your
friend, but we appreciate your thinking of us.
Sincerely,
CL Stroud
Communications
National Geographic Society

Then again, there's something to be said for honesty...


  #10  
Old August 12th 07, 03:39 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Bob[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Hard to break into National Geographic's staff.

sorry what is NG? I need them....?

wrote in message
oups.com...
On Aug 11, 6:19 pm, "William Graham" wrote:
I wrote to National Geographic asking them whether they would consider
hiring good quality wildlife photographers, and this is the response I
received....----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 12:49 PM

Dear Mr. Graham: Thank you for your email to the National Geographic
Society.

Photography jobs on staff are very rare. National Geographic does use
freelance photographers, but to be frank, it is extremely difficult to
obtain a first assignment for the magazine. The magazine does not accept
any unsolicited submissions. The editors meet regularly to discuss
possible story ideas. If an idea is decided upon, the article is then
assigned, usually to someone with whom we've worked before or to someone
with many years of outstanding work in the field of journalism. Because
there is a large investment behind each National Geographic article, we
are conservative in choosing writers and photographers, opting for those
with well-established reputations. At this time we have many more
freelance photographers than we do assignments.

If this all sounds negative, we apologize. It is, however, a response
dictated by a rather precise goal for the style of the magazine, coupled
with the limited number of stories we are able to publish each year.

I am sorry that we could not offer more encouraging news regarding your
friend, but we appreciate your thinking of us.
Sincerely,
CL Stroud
Communications
National Geographic Society


Bill, your letter to NG is highly commendable. I salute you sir! I
am certain I know who you are talking about and I couldn't agree
more. In my opinion it's their loss.
Helen



 




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