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Full Time National Geographic Photography Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Benefits (for full-time employees)* * Medical, dental, vision and life insurance, Health Savings ... national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

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Full Time National Geographic Photography information

See salary details

$11K

$107.2K

$201.5K

How much do full time national geographic photography jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time national geographic photography in the United States is $107,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,500.00 and $182,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Full Time National Geographic Photography vs Freelance Nature Photographer?

AspectFull Time National Geographic PhotographyFreelance Nature Photographer
CredentialsProfessional photography skills, possibly journalism or environmental knowledgeSame as above, but often self-taught or varied backgrounds
Work EnvironmentEmployed by National Geographic, working on assigned projectsIndependent, working on personal or client projects in the field
Industry UsagePart of a large media organization with editorial standardsSelf-employed or contracted, with diverse clients and outlets

Full Time National Geographic Photography involves working as an employee for a renowned organization, focusing on assigned projects with editorial oversight. Freelance Nature Photographers operate independently, often managing their own schedules and clients. Both roles require strong photography skills and environmental knowledge, but differ mainly in employment structure and project management.

Can you work for National Geographic as a photographer?

Full-time photographers at National Geographic are typically experienced professionals with strong photography skills, a portfolio of work, and often specialized knowledge in areas like wildlife, nature, or cultural subjects. They usually require a combination of technical expertise, storytelling ability, and sometimes relevant certifications or field experience. Competition for these roles is high, and candidates often need to demonstrate a history of published work and proficiency with professional camera equipment.

How to become a full time National Geographic Photography?

To become a full-time National Geographic photographer, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your wildlife, nature, or cultural photography, and gain experience through freelance work or assignments. Building skills in storytelling, technical proficiency with camera equipment, and understanding of conservation issues are essential, along with networking within the industry and submitting work to relevant publications or contests.

What are the most commonly searched types of National Geographic Photography jobs?

The most popular types of National Geographic Photography jobs are:

What job categories do people searching Full Time National Geographic Photography jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Full Time National Geographic Photography jobs are:

Infographic showing various Full Time National Geographic Photography job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 84% Full Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,150 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Manager, Photo - Special Projects (National Geographic)

The Walt Disney Company

New York, NY

$121K - $162K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Walt Disney Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 130 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 52 rated entertainment


Job description

Job Posting Title:

Manager, Photo - Special Projects (National Geographic)

Req ID:

10156262

Job Description:

National Geographic is seeking a creative, collaborative, and visually driven Photo Manager, Special Projects to help shape world-class storytelling across editorial platforms. Based in New York City, this role will partner closely with editors, photographers, writers, and creative teams to develop and execute visual content for special projects, editorial packages, and enterprise stories.

The ideal candidate is an experienced photo editor with strong visual judgment, excellent editorial instincts, and a passion for discovering new talent and innovative approaches to storytelling. This role will commission and manage photographers and other visual contributors, oversee projects from concept to publication, and serve as a key visual partner to multiple editorial teams across the organization.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and execute visual storytelling for special projects, editorial packages, and enterprise content.
  • Commission and manage photographers, illustrators, and other visual contributors.
  • Collaborate with editors, writers, designers, and production teams to create compelling multi-platform stories.
  • Identify and cultivate relationships with emerging and established photographers, artists, agencies, and creative partners.
  • Manage assignments from conception through publication, including research, production, and image selection.
  • Explore innovative storytelling formats and visual approaches that engage audiences across print, digital, and social platforms.
  • Represent National Geographic within the broader creative community through industry events, portfolio reviews, and talent outreach.

Basic Qualifications:

  • 7+ years of professional experience in photo editing, commissioning, visual storytelling, or creative production.
  • Exceptional visual judgment and a strong understanding of photography and photojournalism.
  • Experience managing photographers and visual contributors throughout the editorial process.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and digital publishing workflows.
  • Passion for National Geographic's mission and visual storytelling heritage.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience editing and commissioning photography for a major editorial, media, or publishing organization.
  • Strong network of photographers, agencies, visual artists, and creative talent, particularly within the New York creative community.
  • Experience developing visual storytelling across print, digital, and social platforms.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify emerging talent and innovative storytelling approaches.
  • Familiarity with rights management, licensing, production workflows, and photo budgets.
  • Knowledge of audience engagement trends and multimedia storytelling formats. Passion for National Geographic's mission and commitment to visual excellence.

Required Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Photography, Journalism, Visual Communications, Art, Media Studies, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
The hiring range for this position in New York is $121,000 to $162,200 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:

Editorial - Photo Editing

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

New York, NY, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-07-21

What Walt Disney Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Walt Disney logo

About Walt Disney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. "We create happiness." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help inspire that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create the never-before-seen!

Industry

Amusement, gambling, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

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