Freelance Photo Processing Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting Title:

Photo Production Coordinator (National Geographic)

Req ID:

10156271

Job Description:

The Photo Production Coordinator supports National Geographic's photo editors and visual team across the magazine, digital features, special titles, Kids publications, and social platforms. This role is ideal for someone with a passion for photography, photojournalism, and visual storytelling, and a curiosity for discovering compelling imagery from around the world.

Working closely with photo editors, the Director of Photography, photographers, and cross-functional teams, the Photo Production Coordinator assists with photo research, image sourcing, asset retrieval, and visual production workflows throughout the editorial process. The role plays a key part in helping editors identify strong visual content while ensuring photography assets are organized, accurate, and publication-ready.

Bringing strong organizational skills and attention to detail, the coordinator supports tagging of metadata, captions, credits, releases, and rights documentation; supports contributor onboarding and production workflows; and helps maintain efficient asset management systems and departmental processes. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and has a keen interest in developing a strong editorial eye while contributing to National Geographic's tradition of visual excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Support photo editors and the visual team across National Geographic's platforms-including the magazine, digital features, special titles, Kids publications, and social media-through all stages of the editorial process.
• Conduct photo research and source compelling imagery from photographers, agencies, archives, stock libraries, and internal collections in support of visual storytelling.
• Assist with image gathering, asset retrieval, metadata management, caption verification, credit accuracy, releases, licensing documentation, and rights tracking to ensure photography is publication-ready.
• Help maintain organized digital archives and asset management systems, ensuring visual content is easily accessible, accurate, and properly documented.
• Collaborate with photo editors, designers, writers, researchers, and editors to support the development of visually engaging stories across print and digital platforms.
• Coordinate with internal partners, including Legal, Business Affairs, and Image Collection teams, to help verify image usage, permissions, and compliance requirements.
• Support digital storytelling workflows by preparing visual assets, maintaining metadata accuracy, and assisting with content publishing within editorial systems.
• Assist with contributor onboarding, invoice processing, workflow tracking, and other production-related administrative tasks that support the efficient operation of the photo department.
• Research emerging visual trends, photographers, archives, and creative image sources to identify fresh opportunities for storytelling. Pitch image discoveries, visual ideas, and creative approaches that enhance National Geographic's storytelling and help connect with audiences across platforms.
• Contribute to a collaborative, fast-paced environment while developing a strong editorial eye and deepening knowledge of photography, photojournalism, and visual storytelling.
• Help uphold National Geographic's long-standing standards of visual excellence, accuracy, integrity, and innovation.

Basic Qualifications:

• One or more years of experience in photo research, photography, visual storytelling, publishing, journalism, media, archives, or a related field.
• Demonstrated passion for photography, photojournalism, and visual storytelling.
• Strong photo research skills with an ability to identify compelling imagery that supports editorial storytelling.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize competing deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with metadata, captions, credits, releases, licensing information, or digital assets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams.
• Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Bridge or comparable photo editing
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience through internships, campus publications, freelance work, photography projects, or editorial environments.
• Familiarity with image licensing, rights management, and archival research.
• Experience working with Airtable, InDesign and digital publishing tools.
• Knowledge of photographers, photo agencies, archives, and the contemporary visual storytelling landscape.
• Interest in developing an editorial eye and learning from experienced photo editors and visual storytellers.
• Familiarity with National Geographic's core storytelling areas, including science, exploration, wildlife, conservation, history, and culture.
• Demonstrated curiosity, creativity discovering outstanding visual work.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

Preferred Education:

• Photojournalism degree a plus but not required.

The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $54,000 to $72,300 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

National Geographic

Job Posting Primary Business:

National Geographic (DET)

Primary Job Posting Category:

Digital Content Editorial

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Washington, DC, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-07-21