Q & A with a W Magazine Photo Research Editor

 Meet Kathryn Hurni, Photo Research Editor of W Magazine, read as she explains the rewards of  education, internships and enthusiasm.

 

PDNedu: What did you study at NYU?

KH: I majored in Photography & Imaging at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. I also majored in English Lit at NYU's College of Arts and Sciences.

PDNedu: How did you get started in photo research?

KH: After graduating NYU in 2006, I started freelancing.  I was already photographing for W while in college, but once I graduated I looked for steady work so I could stay in New York City and make a living. I began working for other fine artists, shooting for publications, and freelancing at W Magazine.  I assisted W's Photo Editor part time for approximately a year and a half.  During that time I really became familiar with W Magazine and the photo/art department. I felt like a valued member of the team.

PDNedu: How did you get your job at W Magazine?

KH: My freelance position transitioned into a full time job after I was approached to fill the Photo Research Editor position.  I was happy to accept the job as I already knew the basics and loved the atmosphere of the office.

PDNedu: What is a typical day like for you - who do you report to?

KH: Mainly, I report to the art department and our Art Director, Nathalie Kirsheh. Each day varies depending upon where we are in the cycle of each issue. I work with many people throughout the magazine; culling ideas from the writers and brainstorming with graphic designers. Once certain images are agreed upon, I begin finding those images and then routing them to our printer. Once the layouts are finalized, I label the images so that our accounting department can track the content of the issue.

This does not happen all in one day, but is spread out over our issue cycle.

PDNedu: As a researcher, what makes you eliminate certain photos while being attracted to others?

KH: After meeting with the art department and discussing the stories running in the issue, I have a better idea of the visual element behind each piece. This makes it easier for me to decide which images will work for certain stories.  For example, I am responsible for pulling images that illustrate more conceptual ideas as well as basic photographs (such as photos of celebrities at special events). I might need to pull a picture of a band-aid to supplement a story about healing after surgery. Or I might have to find photographs of fashion savvy political leaders around the world as was the case in "Party Time" which ran in our July 08 issue.

It is important to know and appreciate the aesthetic of the magazine you are working for.  It can help guide the process and ease decision making about which photographs work better than others.

  

PDNedu: What is the process of getting a photo into the magazine?

KH: 'Pick-up' art is a term we use to describe images that already exist.  These photographs do not need to be shot for the magazine. 'Pick-up' can run as the main image in a story or be secondary art which supplements a main image.  I am responsible for finding the 'pick-up.' Usually, these images can be found on stock agencies' websites.  But in some cases I might have to go beyond those sources and ask for art from galleries or stills from a film studio.

Once I have contacted the proper sources and received the correct photographs, I then have to make sure all the rights and permissions are in order. That way W magazine can legally run the images requested. Sometimes an agency or person will be kind enough to donate an image, in which case we do not have to pay for this photograph. In other cases we are required to pay for our usage of images.  This payment insures that we are indeed able to re-print the image in W Magazine.

The other type of photography that is showcased in W Magazine is commissioned art.  These images do not already exist, and are instead assigned to photographers to shoot.  Many of our beautiful portraits and all our fashion features are commissioned.  W's Photo Editor and Creative Director are responsible for that aspect of the imagery in the magazine.

PDNedu:  Do you have any advise for young photographers looking to work as a photo researcher?

KH: If you want to be involved in the magazine industry in any capacity, whether it be photo research, fashion, or editorial, start interning while in college! Take it seriously.  An internship isn't a full time job, but it is a very good way of setting a foundation.  If you are a hard worker and approach your internship in a professional manner, people will see that and be more willing to hire you rather than sift through a stack of resumes.

Check out W Magazine at www.Wmagazine.com. For Career Opportunities at W and other Conde Nast publications check out Conde Nast Careers online.

Comments

[Hildie]

WOW! She should be on the other side of the lens! What a beautiful young lady. Smart and articulate. Enjoyed the interview. Glad to know that W is encouraging young photographers.

[Mark Nnamdi]

I am seeking for a job as your photo editor, i have good experience in editing software and designing software too.
Thank You
Mark Nnamdi
1 evo rd, G.r.a Port harcourt River state. Nigeria
+234-806-4426827

[maria Caiola]

Have know Kate since birth. Always was and always will be a beautiful young lady, inside -to outside ! No surprise to me that she is doing a wonderful job at W magazine.

[SKE]

Kate is a real dynamo! She defines beauty. She has great personal style, a fab smile; she's SMART and passionte, with a great eye for capturing an image.
I think her talent combined with her passion makes Kate one photograher that we will be talking about for years to come!

[Katrina Rank]

Always very impressed with Kathryn's work...

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[DCPL]

This post was extremely informative. Thanks for the info Kathryn!

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