About the role#
POLITICO is looking for an emerging photojournalist for a Summer 2027 internship. This role provides hands-on experience in photojournalism, photo editing, and visual storytelling. You will work alongside staff photographers and photo editors to support daily news coverage while learning how photography is produced and edited in a newsroom.
What you'll do#
- Support daily photo coverage across the newsroom.
- Research, source, and edit photography for breaking news and enterprise stories.
- Assist photo editors with assignments, visual research, and image selection.
- Photograph news, events, portraits, and other assignments.
- Write and edit accurate captions, credits, alt text, and photo metadata.
- Help organize assignments, photo files, and other newsroom photography resources.
- Work with reporters and editors to identify opportunities for original photography.
- Contribute ideas for creative approaches to journalism.
What you'll need#
- A strong passion for journalism, Washington, politics, and policy.
- Demonstrated experience in photography or photojournalism.
- A portfolio of 12-20 images that shows strong visual storytelling and journalistic instincts.
- Excellent news judgment and attention to detail.
- Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline.
- Strong communication, organizational, and research skills.
- Familiarity with photo-editing tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Photo Mechanic is preferred.
- Previous experience in a newsroom, freelance, or student publication is preferred.
Location & details#
- Location: Arlington, Virginia.
- Term: Summer 2027 (June through August).
- Modality: Hybrid.
- Employment: Full-time, 40 hours per week.
- Compensation: $23 per hour.
- Status: Paid internship.
About POLITICO
POLITICO is a media organization focused on politics and policy. Founded in 2007, the company provides news, analysis, and subscription services for professionals in government and business. It operates with a team of over 1,100 people across several global capitals, including Washington, Brussels, and London. The company is a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE and maintains its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.
How to get in at POLITICO
Applying early is a distinct advantage at POLITICO because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you get your materials in before the pile grows. This timing often matters more than you might think when competitive roles open up. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the people actually hiring for these positions. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind POLITICO roles, allowing you to connect directly to ask about the team or a potential referral. A brief, professional inquiry to the right person is often more effective than waiting for a response from a general portal.
