How to hire photographers?

[musicmaster]

I'm the Photo editor for my school's newspaper with a student population of about 2,500

Its my responsibility to hire two photographers to keep on staff. I did so during my first term.

Both of them rarely had real quality photos. Too dark, not sharp, OOF. They both had entry level DSLRs, but having started out with basic gear, I know that it isn't the camera.

The thing is that their portfolios both had really great photos. I sat down with both and tried to explain what i was looking for and both didn't really change.

I have to send out an application via email to the student body to look for two new people. What should I do to get quality people? I know starting out with photojournalism was a bit rough for me to get the style down, but I was at least turning in quality photos that could be printed, whereas I myself am taking about 75% of the photos published when I should only have 30-40% of the photos.


We have a camera in the office (40D, 18-55IS and 70-200 2.8) but no one seems willing to learn it.

ideas on how I could actually hire someone good?

[Karl Johnston]

is it a highschool or a college audience?

[MJPhotos24]

Just goes to show you can have a good portfolio and still not know what you're doing. Anyone can take 10,000 images and have 10 turn out OK. Make them explain WHY the photo is good, or WHY they shot it the way they did so you know if it was just a luck shot or they did it on purpose (luck shots are just fine but not when it's 10/10 were pure luck, they should have had an idea about shooting it before the luck struck).

Quality people = having high standards. Make them show a body of work (more than a 10 photo portfolio) or at least go shoot something on a trial basis and see what they can do and if they follow directions. Have to get rid of people who think they're too good to learn a new way of doing things, nobody is ever past learning. The day they stop learning should be the day they quit!

Make learning the in house gear mandatory as well, you're the boss - let them have some room to be creative in there own way but make sure they're getting the job done, and let it be known well.

[musicmaster]

is it a highschool or a college audience?
Its a college paper.

I had a harder time choosing the first time around because so many people had blah portfolios (nature, family shots etc).

[kenwood33]

can you do a trial?

[Dennis_Hammer]

When you narrow it down to say four and five send them out on an assignment as a sort of audition and see what they come back with. Pay them something with them knowing you are only keeping the best two based on the results of the assignment.

[Moppie]

By college I assume you mean university in the US?

So your looking at hiring kids aged between 18-20ish?

i.e. limited life experiance, limited shooting expeirance, but lots of dreams, lots of attitude and sometimes lots of passion.

I would try and look past thier portfolios.
Maybe find a group of 10 have proven some history with photography, and can demonstrate some knowledge or passion.
Then set them a short assignment, and pick your final 2 from the results.

But remember, even if they are studing photography as a major, you are still going to have the role of mentor and teacher to some level if you want them to perform and improve.
This may mean taking on the students with the best potential, rather than the best standard at the start.