Photojournalism & Education: Insights from Sandra Stevenson on the 10 Frames Per Second Podcast
Published on 10FramesPerSecond.com – Your go‑to source for photojournalism news, tips, and industry trends.
In the latest episode of 10 Frames Per Second, hosts Joe Giordano and Molly Roberts sit down with Sandra Stevenson—award‑winning writer, visual editor, curator, and now Managing Editor of Visuals & Immersive Experiences at Education Week.
We break down the conversation into bite‑size sections, highlight the most valuable take‑aways, and give you actionable advice on:
- Transitioning from big‑paper journalism to niche publications
- Curating the Women Photojournalists of Washington exhibition
- Archiving your work in the age of AI
- Supporting freelancers and newsrooms today
- Using visual storytelling to humanize education data
SEO Keywords: photojournalism, Sandra Stevenson, Education Week, Women Photojournalists of Washington, photojournalism AI, archiving photography, freelance support, visual storytelling, education journalism, podcast 10 Frames Per Second
🎧 Why This Episode Matters
| Audience | What You’ll Gain |
|---|---|
| Photojournalists & freelancers | Practical tips on archiving, AI ethics, and finding support |
| Editors & newsroom leaders | Strategies for visual storytelling in education and policy |
| Students & educators | A look at how photography can humanize data and policy |
| Curators & arts organizations | Insight into exhibition curation and community building |
📚 From the Daily Newsroom to Education Week
1. Why Sandra Made the Switch
- Broader Impact: Education Week lets her blend photography, video, design & illustration under one mission.
- Policy Lens: Education stories intersect with politics, climate, and health—offering a “tentacle” network of national relevance.
- Personal Growth: Sandra sees the move as a chance to push boundaries, stay curious, and shape a niche yet influential publication.
Quote: “It pulls together all of the experiences from photography, to video, to design, to illustration… and setting policies.”
2. Lessons for Others
- Don’t Fear Niche: Smaller beats can have massive reach when they touch national policy.
- Leverage Your Network: Sandra stays connected through the Overseas Press Club and other affinity groups.
- Embrace Multidisciplinary Skills: Combine visual storytelling with data, policy, and tech.
📸 Curating the Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW) Exhibition
What Made This Show Special?
- Breadth of Work: From politics to joy, the exhibition showcased diverse perspectives.
- Surprise Factor: The winning image—a groom leading a racehorse into Carlisle Bay—stood out for its unexpected calm and composition.
Curatorial Criteria (Sandra’s Checklist)
- Storytelling Power – Does a single frame tell a complete story?
- Emotional Impact – Does it provoke pause, wonder, or empathy?
- Visual Surprise – Look for images that break expectations.
- Technical Excellence – Composition, lighting, and framing matter.
Takeaway for Curators
Tip: When selecting for a show, prioritize images that both inform and captivate—think “news‑worthy + art‑ful.”
🗂️ Archiving in the Digital & AI Era
Why Archives Matter
- Preserve historical truth amid government attempts to rewrite or erase records.
- Enable future storytelling—new books, documentaries, or educational resources.
Practical Archiving Tips (From Sandra & OPC Session)
- Start Early: Treat your archive like a “second newsroom.”
- Multiple Backups: Use cloud services plus an offline hard‑drive.
- Metadata is King: Tag with date, location, subject, and usage rights.
- Partner with Institutions: Universities, libraries, or the Overseas Press Club can host premium collections.
Pro Tip: Build a searchable spreadsheet or simple database—future you will thank you.
AI & Photojournalism: Friend or Foe?
- AI for Editing: Caption generation, noise reduction, and workflow automation can speed up production.
- Zero Tolerance for AI‑Generated Images: Photojournalism must remain a fact‑based medium.
- Transparency is Crucial: If AI tools are used only for auxiliary tasks, disclose it clearly.
Sandra’s Stance: “We will only use AI as part of reporting on AI, never to generate news images.”
🤝 Where Freelancers & Newsrooms Need Support
- Financial Safety Nets: Grants, fellowships, and micro‑grants from organizations like Mackenzie Scott’s education fund.
- Community Hubs: Affinity groups (WPOW, OPC) provide mentorship, networking, and mental‑health support.
- Skill‑Sharing Workshops: Topics such as archiving, AI ethics, and multimedia storytelling.
Quick Checklist for Freelancers
- ☐ Join at least one photojournalism community (e.g., WPOW, OPC).
- ☐ Secure a digital backup plan for all work.
- ☐ Set clear usage rights contracts with clients.
- ☐ Stay updated on AI policy at your target publications.
🎥 Visual Storytelling in Education
How Education Week Uses Images
- Humanizing Data: Photos of teachers, students, and administrators turn statistics into relatable stories.
- Video Series: “District Dilemmas” illustrates challenges (e.g., four‑day school weeks) with compelling footage.
- Animation: Explains AI, cyber‑attacks, and policy changes in a digestible visual format.
Example Story Highlights
| Story | Visual Element | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Books Disappearing from Classrooms | Illustrated graphics | Raises awareness of censorship trends |
| AI in K‑12 | Animated explainer | Helps educators understand benefits/risks |
| Male Students in “Girly” Careers | Strong portraiture (KT Kanaziewicz) | Challenges gender stereotypes |
📣 Take Action – Join the Conversation
- Listen to the full episode on 10fps.net or your favorite podcast platform.
- Explore the Women Photojournalists of Washington exhibition (opens Nov 16, Lost Origins Outside Photo Space, DC).
- Archive your own work today—use the checklist above.
- Support freelance photojournalists by sharing their stories on social media.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments or reach out on Twitter @10FPSpod.
📈 SEO Checklist for This Post
- Primary Keyword (“photojournalism”) appears in title, first paragraph, H2, and throughout.
- Secondary Keywords (Sandra Stevenson, Education Week, archiving photography, AI in photojournalism) are naturally integrated.
- Internal Links (suggest linking to previous podcast episodes about photojournalism business, career advice).
- External Links (link to Education Week, Women Photojournalists of Washington site, Overseas Press Club).
- Readability: Short paragraphs, bullet points, and sub‑headings keep the post scannable.
Stay tuned for more deep dives into the world of photojournalism, straight from the studio of 10 Frames Per Second.
Happy shooting! 📸
_______
photojournalism, education journalism, AI in journalism, visual storytelling, archives, Women Photojournalists of Washington, Education Week, immersive experiences, climate coverage, science reporting, health reporting, AP photo assistant, managing editor, district dilemmas, four‑day school week, school shootings, masculinity in education, gendered career guidance, gun culture, shooting‑range photography, Overseas Press Club, affinity groups, funding for journalism, mentorship, archival strategies, AI‑generated images, AI policy, AI slop, AI ethics, visual curation
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe on your preferred platform! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | Youtube Music | RSS