Photojournalism Fellowship

ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. 

Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, 2025

ProPublica is looking for a creative, empathetic and enterprising emerging photojournalist to join our editorial team as a full-time, two-year photography fellow. 

You will be joining one of the most exciting newsrooms in the country, where visual storytelling is integral to the mission of engaging diverse audiences who may be less likely to read traditional text narratives. As such, you will work closely with our reporters and also have the opportunity to pursue stories that you initiate, contributing to the newsroom by conceptualizing and producing high-impact, accountability-driven photography projects while developing and sharpening your investigative reporting skills. 

ProPublica’s investigative journalism does more than expose wrongdoing and injustice; we intend for it to spark real-world change. This role requires individual creative initiative, journalistic tenacity, a collaborative spirit, enthusiasm and a steadfast commitment to the impact-based mission of ProPublica. 

We’re Looking for Someone With: 

• At least three years of professional photojournalism experience working on staff or freelancing for news outlets.
• A portfolio of self-assigned or commissioned work that demonstrates proficiency pitching, conceiving and producing engaging and illuminating photo-based narratives that help audiences better understand important issues.
• A distinctive visual voice and passion for creative experimentation to find new ways of seeing.
• Tenacity and problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles and to gain difficult access.
• Trauma literacy and experience working with complex topics and sensitive or vulnerable populations. 
• A strong grasp of photojournalistic principles, including ethics, research, visual narrative, project management, team collaboration, subject sourcing, image usage and copyright, and a broad knowledge of the current photojournalism landscape.
• Strong photographic technical skills, including proficiency in imaging software (such as Photoshop), audio and video capturing and editing, and image transmitting.
• Solid basic reporting skills and caption writing experience.
• A hunger to sharpen their investigative journalism skills.
• A proactive approach and ability to work independently, but who also collaborates well and is excited to partner with staff across the newsroom.
• An ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing and in person.
• An ability to travel for staff training, meetings, events and photo assignments around the United States, and internationally, as required.

The photography fellow will report to the senior editor of visual storytelling and will work most closely with our visuals editors, reporters and senior editors. You will also have opportunities to collaborate with other specialty team members, including interactive story designers, graphics editors, researchers and data reporters, depending on the specific needs of stories. ProPublica will also provide camera equipment for the duration of the fellowship. 

The fellowship will begin in early 2026 and last two years. The role is based in our New York City office. We are not open to remote applicants. The candidate should either live in the area or be willing to relocate, with assistance, if hired. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

The salary for this full-time position is $75,000 per year and includes benefits.

What You Should Send Us:

Projects and ideas are the most important part of the application. Your application is a chance to show us your ability to contribute to exceptional work.

You’ll be able to send us three projects from your portfolio (if you don’t have a portfolio, links or screenshots are fine). The work does not have to have been published, but at least one project should have been initiated by you and at least one should have been commissioned or assigned by a news outlet. Here you can walk us through your contributions to those projects and how you made the work. Take advantage of this opportunity to tell us everything you did, from behind-the-scenes wins you’re proud of to barriers and obstacles you overcome. Tell us not just what you did but also how you did it and why. 

You will also be able to tell us about any particular areas of interest that you would hope to cover. These might be particular regions, communities or topic areas that you’re especially passionate about. If you already have an accountability project in mind that you would hope to pitch, feel free to share it here.

The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Dec. 1, 2025. 

Questions? Send an email to talent@propublica.org. 

No phone calls, please.

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

We are dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or any other status protected under applicable law.