About the Toolkit
Prism Photo Workshop co-directors and co-founders Michelle Kanaar and Alyssa Schukar produced this project with support from the Reynolds Journalism Institute.
Prism Photo supports diverse photojournalists to tell the stories of underrepresented people and communities with dignity through education, mentoring, funding, community and a free yearly workshop.
We also collaborate with local newsrooms to offer tailored practical resources for working with visuals. If you are interested in our services, reach out to info@prismphotoworkshop.org.
Michelle Kanaar has 15 years of experience as a visual journalist, educator, editor and newsroom leader. She is committed to social justice reporting and equity within the journalism industry.
Michelle is a co-founder and co-director of the Prism Photo Workshop. She also co-founded Borderless Magazine, an award-winning nonprofit news outlet that is reimagining immigration journalism for a more just and equitable future. She has taught visual journalism for over a decade at various institutions including the University of Missouri and Northwestern University’s Medill.
Alyssa Schukar has a decade of experience navigating freelance photojournalism, including as a consistent contributor to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She understands the needs of freelance visual storytellers as well as the financial and personal difficulties that drive people out of the industry.
A co-founder and co-director of the Prism Photo Workshop, Alyssa is committed to making the industry more inclusive and equitable, particularly by helping others establish sustainable freelance careers. She does this work through Prism and organizations like the International Women’s Media Foundation and the National Press Photographers Association.
Visual Journalism is Essential
Photojournalism is a vital part of local news because it drives reader engagement, increases revenue and tells stories in ways other media cannot. Studies show that images impact emotions faster and more powerfully than words and that stories with visuals garner 94% more total views.
Yet, many local news organizations lack dedicated visual staff – like directors of photography, photo editors and photojournalists – able to create and maximize the use of impactful, quality visual journalism. This absence of visual expertise can diminish newsrooms’ return on their investments in journalism and can limit how and if audiences engage with their reporting.
Our toolkit bridges that gap by providing guidance for editors managing visuals. The practical resources in our toolkit equip newsrooms with the knowledge needed to manage visuals to grow audiences, increase revenue and improve community trust in media.
Diversity and Equity
The toolkit emphasizes diversity and equity. Photojournalists are often the only newsroom representatives on the ground. If they reflect the diversity of communities newsrooms cover, they can provide nuanced coverage and build community trust.
Read more about the importance of diversity in visual journalism in our Reynolds Journalism Institute article.
As newsrooms increasingly rely on visuals made by freelance photojournalists they must invest in them through training, equitable contracts and livable wages. Otherwise, newsrooms will soon experience a dearth of trained photojournalists, especially those from more diverse backgrounds.
The diversity and sustainability of the photojournalism industry is at a crossroads. The everyday choices that newsrooms make now around visuals will lay the groundwork for what the industry will look like for years to come.
Visual Journalism Toolkit Articles
Diversity in Photojournalism
The diversity of people behind the camera matters: who they are impacts which stories are being told and how.
Search-Optimized Libraries
Establishing a search-optimized library is essential to maximizing newsroom investment in visual storytelling.
Onboard Freelancers
Streamlining the onboarding process leads to fewer follow-up emails, phone calls and mistakes.
Equitable Contracts
Offering plain-spoken contracts provides clarity, protection and accountability for newsrooms and the freelancers they hire.
Keep Journalists Safe
Newsrooms can cultivate a culture of safety and care in this industry by investing in training at all levels to expand awareness and buy-in.
Ethical Stock and AI Images
Newsrooms sourcing visuals via stock photography, handout photos or AI should develop clear ethical standards to guide how and when these resources are used.
How images can increase engagement and revenue
News organizations can gain further return on their investments in visuals by developing projects that directly increase engagement and revenue.
Elevate your newsroom’s visual storytelling with this free toolkit
How to collaborate effectively with freelance photographers, streamline workflows and harness visuals to increase revenue and engagement
If you know of additional resources we should include in the toolkit or would like to provide feedback, please email info@prismphotoworkshop.org. We also collaborate with local newsrooms to offer tailored practical resources for working with visuals. If you are interested in our services, reach out to info@prismphotoworkshop.org.
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A special thanks to contributing photographers April Alonso, Vanessa Charlot, Cydni Elledge, Katherine Nagasawa, Josué Rivas, Donnie Seals Jr., Martine Severin, Tonal Simmons.
With special thanks to:
