How important are awards?

[Dude Lebowski]

If you've got 5-10 years under your belt, and have won a few awards, (ap, state, and maybe an emmy) how important is that viewed when looking for a job in a 1-30 market?

I've never been one to put awards so high on a list, but then again I see other people saying you have to have at least an emmy, or a ton of NPPA's to break into places. As a chief, do you look for that?

Just curious how much emphasis was put on the awards process, or if it matter at all?

Thanks - DUDE

[shootercub]

You probably have a better chance at winning these awards in mid sized markets..

Once you get to at least top 10, it's crime and grime all the time..

Feature? What's a Feature?

[Frank McBride]

The answer is not an absolute, because it's going to be different every time. Generally having awards to point to will never hurt your chances at a job, but the tape is key. I think most managers aren't going to live or die by the emmy or other awards, but there are a few that look for it, ask about it and wonder why if you don't have it.

My take was always show me the tape, then I looked at the experience and where it was. If someone made a big deal about their awards, it kind of had the reverse effect they were looking for.

I think awards are never a bad thing, but I wouldn't sweat it as long as you have the skills.

FMc

[ewink]

I've shot 3 packages in two years... How are my chances for an award? :(

[D.St.]

I'll preface this by saying I have awards for reporting, shooting and producing, only to illustrate my point.

Awards are given, much like any other assessment of one's work in this industry, solely on the basis of another's opinion. I've been a judge for the AP's, NPPA and the Emmy contests; my only qualification was that I worked at a TV station.

It is nice to see something that you worked hard on receive recognition from others in the biz, but you have to take them for what they are. In this day and age of decreasing budgets and quality, awards and $.50 will get you a cup of coffee.

It doesn't hurt to list them on your resume, but again, it's all subjective. As in my case, even a blind squirrel will find a nut every once in a while.

[David R. Busse]

Early in my career, awards (especially NPPA) were a big deal to me. I won a few, but today, I don't know (or care) where those awards are packed away.

I suddenly realized I could call myself an "award winning photographer," so I decided that my work needed to be judged on a national scale.

I entered a national contest with what I thought was a strong couple of entries. I won nothing. A few months later, I applied to a station who employed one of the judges of the contest where I came up empty-handed. That particular judge, the station's program director, called the man who later hired me and gave me a great recommendation, unknown to me.

So, I didn't have a trophy, but my "award" was the job where I now am in my 27th year.

I think the last time I entered a contest was 1990.

In my market, you're more likely to get hired on the strength of your tape and your references.

[Icarus112277]

Screw the awards I'll just take the check!

[LuccaBrazzi]

Yo, shootercub--

Here in market #45, it's crime-and-grime, all the time.

Not only do all three stations NOT do features...we don't even do KICKERS (we just go back "live" for a last look at the lead story--usually a murder or shooting.)

[cameragod]

I used an award to get into an exclusive London nightclub… other than that once you have a few they don’t mean spit. Some of the best shooters I know have never won an award. It all comes down to what the judges fancy at the time. 4 years in a row the best camera award in NZ was won by whichever shooter had been assigned to the hotair balloons at night story that year. Yes beautiful pictures but not exactly hard to shoot.

[wtv]

Simple, when you win them they are important, and when you don't, they're not...........

[Vidman]

I'm in a top ten market, no awards.

[NEWSSHOOTER3]

Not. Nice to be recognized. Nobody can say it doesn't feel good, but being a photojournalist is not WHO I am. Its just WHAT I do. Life has bigger rewards...

[5600K]

I was able to get into a top 4 market without any awards. If you are reliable, dedicated, can shoot straight (focused, white balanced, composed, et cetera), and live the news, you can get hired here. Awards may help you in some places. Not here.

[AB]

I don't think any award is going to make or break a job offer in a large market.

Today's business is about doing a solid job, being fast and reliable and being able to do more with less.

I certainly would put it on a resume if you've got something you're proud of, but your tape is going to do the talking.

In a way, it may put some pressure on you. If you're selling yourself as an "award-winning photographer", your tape had better back it up with something solid.

On the flip side, if awards are important to you, go for it. Don't ever let anyone make you feel bad about winning something. We don't get enough pats on the back in this business.

As long as you aren't sandbagging anyone else on your team to get an individual honor and don't let your ego run amuck, enjoy any accolades you can get.

So many of the posters on these forums that put down people for winning awards always have to preface their statement by letting you know that they have won something for some reason. Does it mean their opinion is supposed to carry more weight? Why did they ever enter if it's so foolish?

Sorry to be long winded. In the end, no it won't make or break a job, so do it for yourself. If it means something to you or is a professional goal you've set, that's good enough.

[memphis-vid (ex-longhaul)]

there was a time when awards meant a lot to me, then i got to a point in my careear where i started judging for awards. having been a part of the "judging" process i can safely say that awards aren't all they're cracked up to be. after three or four hours of looking at tape a professional label becomes as important as what's on the tape... at least for some of the people "judging". small market awards are a lot like being the fastest kid in the special olympics... i'm not trying to take anything away from small market shooters, but what does it mean to be the best of the green? i've seen resumes with more than a few awards, but when i looked at the tape i thought i got it mixed up with someone elses. make the best work you can... EVERYDAY!!!... if you can manage that you will be fine. awards make a great place to hang your keys... especialy emmys.

[memphis-vid (ex-longhaul)]

In this day and age of decreasing budgets and quality, awards and $.50 will get you a cup of coffee.

you can still get coffee for $.50 in south carolina!? maybe i should start applying for jobs there... i can only imagine what houses are going for.

[Bismarck]

The best part is the free dinner and booze.

[D.St.]

you can still get coffee for $.50 in south carolina!? maybe i should start applying for jobs there... i can only imagine what houses are going for.

If you know where to look. It won't be Starbucks, but it'll keep you up for that late live shot! :)

[nozoom4u]

I don't think some awards mean a whole lot. On the other hand, some do. I've never seen a National Emmy, Murrow, Peabody, etc. that was not exceptional. They are also pretty hard to come by. That being said, It's all a matter of opinion. So many markets don't tell stories and do the run n' gun thing. Those markets generally don't like storytellers. Storytelling markets don't like run n' gun markets. How do you judge a story if you don't understand how to tell one? Some of the critiques I get for NPPA make me laugh! You have to take them with a grain of salt, and work your butt off everyday. If you do that, awards will come with it. Promise! Besides, I don't know a lot of bosses that will hire you based on your awards. Turn a crappy boring story into a great one and you'll win awards.

[pre-set]

Emmys only mean something to...1) people that don't HAVE one, and... 2) people unfammiliar with the Emmy judging process.


Yeah, it's fun to say "well, as an Emmy winning photojournalist in a Top 10 market, I..... blah, blah, blah".... But it really doesn't mean a damn thing.


Do you know HOW Emmy's are judged? Not how they're SUPPOSED to be judged - but how they're ACTUALLY judged?

They get anyone with a pulse (cleaning people, sales guys and interns are favorite targets) and sit them in a room with your tapes and a judging form. Then, people who know NOTHING about news photography critique your work.


That's how it happens. I've only been "invited" to sit in on ONE Emmy judging session in a decade-and-a-half of doing this - despite the little line on your entry form that says you agree to do a judging session of someone elses tape by entering your own work. Nope. They don't ask us. It's easier to have a college intern do it.


I haven't entered anything in several years, and the last time totally spoiled it for me. I had a FANTASTIC breaking news tape - three really, really good spot news stories - a better tape than the entry I won a Spot News Emmy for two years eariler - so I thought it was gonna be a slam dunk...

Nope. Not even a nomination. Now, I can accept not getting a nomination as long as SOMEONE does, right? But NO ONE got one. That's right. No one. In the year 2003, not a SINGLE photographer at any of the 4 affiliates in D.C., B'more, Richmond, Norfolk, Harrisburg or Salisbury got a SINGLE nomination of breaking news. No one.

So am I to actually believe that in that time, no one shot ANYTHING worthy of nomination?

Or is is MORE likely that those entries didn't even get judged?



Exactly. They got lost somewhere and forgotten about.



That shows you what an Emmy is worth.



Like I said, they only mean something to people that don't have one or know how they get judged.




edit - BTW, I'm speaking about LOCAL Emmys here - not National.

[Stoney]

On a resume... the tape is the key. Not the awards. However, if you are looking at a station that wants a special projects level shooter than maybe your awards get you noticed. Awards recognize outstanding work and are an indicator of what you are capable of. So, the suits may notice it on paper.

Think of it this way... have you ever heard of someone not getting a job because they listed awards on their resume?

[Stoney]

Emmys only mean something to...1) people that don't HAVE one, and... 2) people unfammiliar with the Emmy judging process.


Yeah, it's fun to say "well, as an Emmy winning photojournalist in a Top 10 market, I..... blah, blah, blah".... But it really doesn't mean a damn thing.


Do you know HOW Emmy's are judged? Not how they're SUPPOSED to be judged - but how they're ACTUALLY judged?

They get anyone with a pulse (cleaning people, sales guys and interns are favorite targets) and sit them in a room with your tapes and a judging form. Then, people who know NOTHING about news photography critique your work.


That's how it happens. I've only been "invited" to sit in on ONE Emmy judging session in a decade-and-a-half of doing this - despite the little line on your entry form that says you agree to do a judging session of someone elses tape by entering your own work. Nope. They don't ask us. It's easier to have a college intern do it.


I haven't entered anything in several years, and the last time totally spoiled it for me. I had a FANTASTIC breaking news tape - three really, really good spot news stories - a better tape than the entry I won a Spot News Emmy for two years eariler - so I thought it was gonna be a slam dunk...

Nope. Not even a nomination. Now, I can accept not getting a nomination as long as SOMEONE does, right? But NO ONE got one. That's right. No one. In the year 2003, not a SINGLE photographer at any of the 4 affiliates in D.C., B'more, Richmond, Norfolk, Harrisburg or Salisbury got a SINGLE nomination of breaking news. No one.

So am I to actually believe that in that time, no one shot ANYTHING worthy of nomination?

Or is is MORE likely that those entries didn't even get judged?



Exactly. They got lost somewhere and forgotten about.



That shows you what an Emmy is worth.



Like I said, they only mean something to people that don't have one or know how they get judged.




edit - BTW, I'm speaking about LOCAL Emmys here - not National.

That bugs me as well. I always thought that the judging was a hap-hazard process... you never know what you will get.

[NEWSSHOOTER3]

Pre-set hit it on the head with the judging. Sad, but VERY, VERY true!

[eb]

Busse....you're just getting OLD! ;) Your tape would rock.

It's about the tape. All about the tape.
Those who don't know you have any awards, or not, don't care. But if you show them a story...they will care.
If you have a good tape.

I once had an interview....with a special projects producer. They asked...."what is your style of shooting?" I replied.... didn't you look at my tape? She said, "no, didnt have time." I still remember that moment. It taught me quite a bit about what "other people" think about our work. So...to some people....even the tape (your ability to shoot and edit) isn't important. That says a lot about some managers' involvement with looking at video tape...to see quality. That's the key, is management. If they care about your abilities, they will - or should - be quite involved in looking at your video, and finding ways to maximize good video storytelling.

[Bismarck]

I've been flat-out told by a guy who hires photographers that he never watches tapes because he gets about 50 a day.