photojournalist – Page 2 – Survive Your Job In Television News

How the Trayvon Martin case can help define your news career.

By now you have read plenty about this case. You may have even written and/or voiced over stories about it. There are a lot of compelling articles that explain what we TV journalists have done right and especially wrong while covering the Martin shooting. I am not going there. Instead I am going to explain why this case can and more than likely will end up defining your career in some way.

This is the type of story and event that truly tests the limits of journalism. It tests the ability to be objective. It tests news philosophies. It tests personal ethics while on the job. For this reason, I strongly encourage you to keep a file of everything you read, watch and write about the case. Just file it all away. Write notes about any conflicts within you and add these thoughts to your file. Keep copies of your favorite stories you watched, and the ones you liked the least. Write notes on what you like and do not like about the coverage. The reason: As this case plays out, your views on ethics and philosophy will likely change a lot. So will the critics. We will talk about how this case was covered for years to come. Professors worth their salt are already beginning to track and possibly discuss it with future journalists.

The Martin case will become a litmus test for many news companies and news managers as they continue trying to shape what television news is becoming. There are too many hot button issues in it for the case not to become more than a story that simply comes and goes. Those issues will come up as managers consider newsroom policies on everything from fact checking affiliate copy to social media policy. For this reason, it will serve as the perfect talking point when feeling out the news philosophy at a station where you are interviewing. This case is so big, every news management team has likely had to make some sort of ethical call on it already. It will not be the last time either. Asking pointed questions about the Martin case to a news director or AND when you are job interviewing will be a good way to feel out their personal journalistic integrity also. Are you both in sync?

The Martin case is also a good litmus test for you to gauge your own value system and journalistic work. As you go into difficult scenarios in the future, draw on what you thought was done correctly in the Martin case. Remind yourself of the ethical issues that arose when coverage was less than thorough. It is a good reminder to us all that we cannot ever get too comfortable or too numb while covering stories. There are often many layers. Do we get to them, or leave them buried? Do we jump to conclusions? Have you? Really asking yourself and current and future news bosses these questions will help you define yourself as a journalist. It will help you brand yourself. It will help you weed out stations that may vary too much from your news philosophy. With examination, personally and as a professional group, the Martin case could help us define what TV News should be, and will become.

The 3 b’s to win over your News Director.

A producer recently Tweeted me asking for an article on how to build a relationship with News Directors. Frankly, I could write a book on that subject! But there are some basics easily put into a short blog. First, you need to know, access to your ND varies greatly depending on market size, how many other managers exist in your newsroom and your ND’s temperament. There are some fail safes though that will help no matter your situation. We call them the 3 B’s:

Be subtle
Be consistent
Be loyal

Before we spell out these 3 b’s, let’s give you some insight into what ND’s often think. Simply put, up to half the newsroom is “on board” helping out day to day, the rest are not loyal or don’t seem to pull their weight. (Trust me on this one, I’ve heard many ND’s say it!) That second group appear to fight the ND on everything by being argumentative. The ND gives a critique and the person throws back reasons why it’s “the newsroom’s fault” something wasn’t done. Then comes the “high maintenance” label of being difficult or too needy. This is especially true if you have valid points that, though probably unintentional, showcase the ND’s problem areas in the newsroom or even management style. No one is perfect, including your ND. We’re not saying you need to be a “kiss ass” and do whatever the ND wants all the time. We are not saying your opinion isn’t valid. It’s all in the delivery, which we will spell out in a moment. The ND will have people on staff that they count on for their own gut checks from time to time. You become one of those people with patience and by showing loyalty. This all begins by being subtle.

Being subtle means being the person that sits back and listens to what the ND asks for. Take, for instance, a staff meeting where the ND spells out the news philosophy of the shop. You don’t raise your hand and ask a bunch of questions. You want to hear not only what the ND says but his/her reaction to the flood of questions and instant critiques. Once that’s completed, process what the point of it all seems to be. A day or two later, drop by the news director’s office and say something like: “So I was thinking about the meeting and want to make sure that what you are expecting is ‘XYZ’.” Let ND answer and then thank him or her and walk out. Then try and do what was asked of you. After a few weeks pop your head in and ask for a critique. Yes, you will likely get an honest answer that could be disappointing. Most ND’s recognize that asking for critiques is not the easiest thing to do. The willingness to do so will show respect. Now this is key: Don’t ask for critiques all the time, just when there’s a philosophy change or change in your job assignment. People constantly asking for critiques and therefore validation are considered high maintenance. Remember the first B is to “Be subtle.”

Now that you have a clear idea of what the ND wants, execute it and “Be consistent.” Strive to do it every day. Keep your head down and just do your job. The ND will notice. You may not get a lot of pats on the back. But that doesn’t happen often in TV news anyway. If you screw up one day, the ND may give you the benefit of the doubt if you’ve built this relationship. You just might set yourself up for a promotion or at least an opportunity to ask for better assignments during your next review. Consistently doing your job is another way to show loyalty.

That leads to the third B, “Be loyal.” Before you start shaking your head and thinking to yourself “I’m not a kiss ass” know this: That’s not what showing loyalty is about. Loyalty doesn’t mean planting smooches on backsides. It means not going into the ND’s office and throwing fits when you just got royally screwed over. That doesn’t mean you have to become the news room doormat either. If something happens that puts you in an awful position, go in and ask for advice. If the ND throws something back at you like “How would you fix it?” have a possible solution ready. Spell it out, then accept the critique. Thank the ND for listening when you walk out. You need to do this even if the ND is a screamer. (click here for more on how to handle bosses that scream.) Showing loyalty means knowing your ND is going to screw up occasionally and you aren’t going to rub salt in the wound. You will forgive it and move on in the best interest of the station. If you see a situation that might really cause a problem, like a potential ethical issue, call the ND and give him/her a quick heads up. Don’t call screaming about how you don’t appreciate being in this position. The ND doesn’t care about your feelings. You are replaceable. (Never forget that.) Stay humble and try to work with the ND.

News Directors can be very inaccessible and very hard to read. You may never know if the ND likes you or thinks you are a hunk of junk. But, all ND’s appreciate loyalty. All types of ND’s will eventually notice if you make effort to just do what’s needed and try not to cause extra headaches. The 3 B’s will benefit you, even if you can’t tell right away. ND’s have given me good references throughout my career simply because I always tried to give them what they needed.

You exist to hold my tripod: How to make peace with the photographer that hates reporters.

Throughout my career I heard this phrase uttered by photographers when discussing reporters: “You exist to hold my tripod.” It was followed by a laugh and shaking of the head. There is a lot behind this phrase that many reporters and news managers don’t stop to think about. It’s especially true now, with more stations turning to one man band and backpack journalists. Without photojournalists, there would be no TV news. The video, together with sound, is what separates us from other news mediums. Yet many take for granted the photojournalist that is putting a lot of physical effort and artistic ability into his/her work. In many shops photojournalists do not get much recognition from management. It all goes to the reporters and anchors.

Being the reporter thought of as only good enough to hold the tripod is frustrating. But a good journalist can consider many perspectives, right? Whether you like it or not, you are going to be assigned to work with photojournalists who have this attitude from time to time. They exist in every shop. Murphy’s Law dictates you will be assigned to this angry photojournalist whenever you have a great story that you hope will be good enough to keep for your resume.

So in the interest of peace and understanding, let’s look a little more at why some photojournalists feel this way. In truth, there are many reporters that think photogs are their servants. They refuse to help carry gear. They boss the photojournalist around and tell them to get specific shots, rather than gently asking. And they often do this in front of someone being interviewed. This treatment is humiliating. Think about the time when a ND calls you in and asks how you could ever have written something so dumb? You know how it feels. We’ve all been there. Showing respect is crucial. Also, because there is a lack of training in newsrooms, often a seasoned photojournalist gets stuck working with newbie reporters. All of us are clueless when we first take news jobs. We are a pain in the butt and a potential liability as we get our TV legs. Add in a know it all, “I can conquer the world” attitude and a seasoned photojournalist legitimately wants to not only hand you a tripod to carry, but shove it where the sun doesn’t shine!

So enough psychology of why, let’s talk survival skills. The tried and true way to develop a positive working relationship with these seemingly impossible photographers is to show them some respect. Yes, you will often want specific shots taken in the field. So, let the photog know what you are thinking and ask them to help you out, rather than tell them to get a shot. Then ask for input and tell them you would love a few more shots or more natural sound to go with the shots you need if the photojournalist sees a good opportunity. Ask the photojournalist’s opinion, often. This person is a huge asset for you, even when it can be a bitter pill. These articles spell out why and what to do if the photog is really hazing you. (see Photog is a reporter’s best friend and Thank you sir, how to handle newsroom hazing)

Do whatever you can to get the photojournalist involved in the story. Again, at end of each interview ask if the photojournalist has any questions for the subject. Some of the best perspective on a story can come from the true observer. (There is no truer “observer” than a photog watching the story play out through the lens of a camera!) When you shoot your standup talk to the photographer about what you are thinking of doing and ask for help making it work visually.

Most of all, don’t give up. Keep showing respect even if you think you are only getting insults in return. Remember the psychology of why. These photographers often care, passionately, about the video and sound they are gathering. They want their hard work appreciated by someone, but they have been burned, often. Be patient, compliment when appropriate, and show respect. With time that photographer will turn into an asset and you will be glad to hold the tripod for him/her!

Road trip! You can cover us, right?

No way around it. This is an uncomfortable trend in many newsrooms right now. In fact, some companies are making it written policy. The good part: You get a sweet out of town assignment! The bad part: You have to pay the travel costs upfront, fill out an expense report when you get back, then wait for reimbursement that can take up to 6 weeks. And, by the way, your credit card bill will come due before that 6 weeks is up and you get your money back. It’s a problem a lot of news employees are wrestling with these days. I recently read a forum entry on b-roll.net from a photojournalist asking how to approach this subject during salary negotiations. Here are some ideas to deal with this road trip trend.

So what if you are asked to go out of town and just cannot front the money? You need to tell management flat out. Yes, it could mean losing out on a primo assignment. Better that than not paying your bills though. In many cases, if management really wants you on the story, there is a work around. Sometimes the boss pays the hotel, or perhaps the business manager ponies up some petty cash. It really depends on the station and the individual managers. Does saying you cannot pay upfront make you look bad to the bosses? That depends on the manager. But even if they seem upset, they usually understand. Most often it’s more a case of managers being frustrated because they know asking you to pay upfront is unreasonable and the boss is stuck with a policy that stinks.

If you decide to front the money, get a description of any limits for certain expenses ahead of time in writing. (i.e. – How much per meal? How much for parking etc.?) Be firm on this. Trouble is, some of these policies are so rigid, the limits can be highly unreasonable. For example, some companies have a maximum amount to be reimbursed for hotel stays. Depending on where you are going and what you are covering, hotel costs can vary greatly. This can put a crew in a really rough spot especially if the limits were not checked ahead of time. The last thing you want is to pay $150 for a room only to find out the company policy is a maximum of $100. That’s your credit card and, therefore, your financial worth on the line. If no one can provide you with written limits, think hard before agreeing to the assignment.

If you are headed out of town on a last minute assignment you need to ask about clothing and equipment reimbursement limits. You never know what’s going to happen, and you want to be prepared. Also, in an open ended return kind of scenario, set a limit as to how much you are willing to pay out of pocket before you go. Make sure management and the business office are clear you will not front a single dollar more and there needs to be a backup plan everyone is aware of in case you have to stay longer than your money will pay for.

Also ask how far out of your market qualifies a trip as “out of town.” You don’t want a scenario where you decide to push it driving home, then stop for dinner somewhere too close to your ADI to count for reimbursement. Yes, you were miles and miles away on assignment, but the button pushers will only look at the location of the purchase if there are ADI restrictions. You will either get stuck covering the meal or have to go several rounds with the boss to make your receipt an exception. If that happens it could be held against you later. Remember, a case like this makes the boss look disorganized. Even if the boss is sloppy, you don’t want to be the one who makes it obvious to the world. Asking for those policies ahead of time will avoid the mess.

What if your contract requires you to front the money ahead of time? The only practical advice we can offer is to keep a credit card that can “cover you” until you are reimbursed. A contract is a contract and if you signed it, you’re going to have to live up to its terms.

This is a complicated and emerging issue in TV newsrooms. There may be more ways to deal with it than we’ve listed here. So, please, if you have other ideas let us know. You can leave comments below. Many of us are facing this type of situation for the first time in our careers and need to bounce ideas around about covering that sweet road trip upfront.