I am a versatile photojournalist with more than 20 years of experience capturing and curating visual stories for news organizations. I thrive in fast-paced environments and excel in both still photography and video editing, using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Photo Mechanic, and Final Cut Pro. I shoot with Nikon and Canon and am an FAA-licensed drone pilot with experience in aerial photography and video. I have a strong storytelling sense, an eye for composition, and a track record of mentoring reporters and expanding audiences through engaging visuals and social media storytelling. I have led teams, planned daily visuals, mentored young reporters, and coordinated with editors to plan and execute special projects. I’ve built and managed social media strategies, increased video usage on social platforms, and developed online photo galleries. My career spans major outlets across the country, with a focus on narrative visuals, timely reporting, and audience engagement.

Jon Austria

I am a versatile photojournalist with more than 20 years of experience capturing and curating visual stories for news organizations. I thrive in fast-paced environments and excel in both still photography and video editing, using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Photo Mechanic, and Final Cut Pro. I shoot with Nikon and Canon and am an FAA-licensed drone pilot with experience in aerial photography and video. I have a strong storytelling sense, an eye for composition, and a track record of mentoring reporters and expanding audiences through engaging visuals and social media storytelling. I have led teams, planned daily visuals, mentored young reporters, and coordinated with editors to plan and execute special projects. I’ve built and managed social media strategies, increased video usage on social platforms, and developed online photo galleries. My career spans major outlets across the country, with a focus on narrative visuals, timely reporting, and audience engagement.

Available to hire

I am a versatile photojournalist with more than 20 years of experience capturing and curating visual stories for news organizations. I thrive in fast-paced environments and excel in both still photography and video editing, using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Photo Mechanic, and Final Cut Pro. I shoot with Nikon and Canon and am an FAA-licensed drone pilot with experience in aerial photography and video. I have a strong storytelling sense, an eye for composition, and a track record of mentoring reporters and expanding audiences through engaging visuals and social media storytelling.

I have led teams, planned daily visuals, mentored young reporters, and coordinated with editors to plan and execute special projects. I’ve built and managed social media strategies, increased video usage on social platforms, and developed online photo galleries. My career spans major outlets across the country, with a focus on narrative visuals, timely reporting, and audience engagement.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Director of Photography at Albuquerque Journal
December 1, 2022 - October 1, 2025
Planned daily visuals, managed and scheduled a staff of three full-time visual journalists, coordinated with freelance photographers; met with digital content managers and reporters to plan special projects; managed social media accounts and increased presence on Instagram; mentored and trained young reporters and photojournalists; implemented the 'photos of the week' and 'photos of the month' galleries; oversaw the yearly calendar; increased use of videos on social media to promote content.
Visual Journalist at USA TODAY NETWORK (Coloradoan)
August 1, 2020 - November 1, 2022
Shot images that enhanced storytelling; increased the use of video; worked with reporters on feature and investigative projects.
Visual Journalist at Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
October 1, 2018 - August 1, 2021
Curated online photo galleries; increased the use of video; planned and coordinated projects in conjunction with editors and reporters; received recognition for best feature and sports photos from the Florida Society of News Editors.
Visual Journalist at Farmington Daily Times
June 1, 2011 - October 1, 2018
Oversaw the digital transformation of the photo department; created a digital photo archive and digitized film images; developed social media accounts; implemented online photo galleries; photographed breaking news, sports, features and other assignments as needed.
Visual Journalist at The News Review, Roseburg, Oregon
June 1, 2005 - November 1, 2009
Gained experience covering wildfires, natural disasters, presidential elections and American Legion baseball tournaments; received multiple awards from the Oregon News Publishers Association and the National Press Photographers Association.

Education

B.A. at Brooks Institute of Photography, Ventura, California
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2004
B.A. at University of California at Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, California
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2000

Qualifications

FAA Licensed Drone Pilot
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Other