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Photo Journalism Internship Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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Photo Journalism Internship information

See Washington salary details

$9

$17

$24

How much do photo journalism internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for photo journalism internship in Washington is $17.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.13 and $19.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a photo journalism internship?

A Photo Journalism Internship is a temporary position, often held by students or recent graduates, that provides hands-on experience in capturing and reporting news stories through photography. Interns typically work with professional photojournalists or media organizations, learning how to take compelling photographs, edit images, and adhere to journalistic ethics. The internship offers a chance to build a professional portfolio, network with industry professionals, and gain insights into the workflow of newsrooms or media outlets. Responsibilities may include covering events, assisting with photo shoots, and conducting research for stories. This experience is valuable for those aspiring to pursue a career in photojournalism or media.

What types of assignments and learning opportunities can I expect during a photo journalism internship?

As a Photo Journalism Intern, you can expect to work on a variety of assignments, such as covering local news events, capturing feature stories, and assisting senior photojournalists on larger projects. You'll likely have opportunities to develop skills in digital editing, caption writing, and storytelling through images. Interns often collaborate with reporters and editors, learning how to pair visuals with written content for publication. This role offers valuable exposure to the fast-paced newsroom environment and can help you build a strong professional portfolio for future career advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a photo journalism intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Photo Journalism Intern, you need a solid grasp of photography fundamentals, storytelling, and basic journalistic ethics, often supported by coursework or a portfolio. Familiarity with DSLR or mirrorless cameras, photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, and content management systems is typically required. Curiosity, adaptability, and strong interpersonal communication are valuable soft skills that help build rapport and capture compelling stories. These skills and qualities are crucial to effectively document real-world events and convey impactful narratives to diverse audiences.

What is the difference between Photo Journalism Internship vs Photojournalist?

AspectPhoto Journalism InternshipPhotojournalist
CredentialsTypically students or entry-level with relevant courseworkProfessional experience, portfolio, possibly certifications
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, media outlets, news agenciesFull-time employment, freelance work, or agency roles
Industry UsageEducational programs, training positionsActive reporting, publishing, and storytelling

The main difference is that a Photo Journalism Internship is an entry-level, educational position designed to gain experience, while a Photojournalist is a professional who actively reports news through photography, often with extensive experience and a portfolio. Internships serve as a stepping stone toward becoming a full-time photojournalist.

What are popular job titles related to Photo Journalism Internship jobs in Washington?

For Photo Journalism Internship jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Photo Journalism Internship jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Photo Journalism Internship jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Photo Journalism Internship jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Photo Journalism Internship job openings:

Photo Journalism Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Photo Journalism Internship job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 29% Internship, 57% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,620 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Newsroom Summer Internship Program 2027: Visual Journalists

The Washington Post

Washington, DC

$1.0K/wk

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Join the future of news

We're on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you'll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.

About Our Team

The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.

Why This Role Matters

The Washington Post is seeking college juniors, seniors and graduate students for the newsroom's flagship summer internship program. Our interns report and write articles, edit copy, take photographs, shoot and edit video, create graphics, produce audio, design on multiple platforms, develop audience strategy and do data analyses. They work alongside and learn from award-winning journalists, and we treat them as staff members during their internship.

What Motivates You

  • You're driven to capture the stories that inform, educate, inspire and delight audiences, using different formats and mediums.

  • You thrive in fast-moving environments and on deadline.

  • You are eager to work across a large, ambitious, collaborative newsroom.

How You'll Support the Mission

  • You will work with reporters and editors on engaging, high-impact stories, including breaking news, insightful features and visually driven enterprise work.

  • Photo interns will shoot in the field, covering a wide range of subjects, from politics to lifestyle.

  • Video interns will shoot video for immersive storytelling projects and clip news video for use on our owned and operated platforms.

The Skills and Experience You Bring

  • You must be a college junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in a degree program by the application deadline, which is noon Eastern time on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.

  • You are passionate about visual storytelling and its power to shape how audiences experience the news.

  • Photo interns must be proficient in Photoshop CS, photo management software, and Mac and PC platforms.

  • Video interns must be proficient in all aspects of digital video/audio and editing software, including Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere. Experience with voiceover narration and HTML is helpful.

  • You have a commitment to accuracy, clarity and journalistic rigor.

Applications should include a resume, autobiographical essay (which should be no more than 500 words), and a portfolio that includes three examples of your work. Please include an explanation of your role in the clips. Cover letters are not required. Materials can be submitted as links or documents to the same field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples.

The deadline to apply is noon Eastern on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.

This position will be based out of our Washington, D.C., headquarters. Interns are paid $1021.13/week.

Your story awaits. Apply today!

Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.

Apply