How was your first day as the new chief photog?

[Lensmith]

I was answering another post about how to get a chief photog position and it brought back a lot of memories.

Many of us, as television news photogs have the job of chief photog as one of our goals. Getting the job is one thing. Doing the job is something else.

I was hired from the outside. I won't go into all the details how that happened here since I expained that elsewhere in the Chief Photog forum but...my first days were hell.

Most of us have the idea you get named to the chief job and everything is rosey. You get to direct the photog staff to more creative heights plus get more input into what gear gets purchased. Yes, lots of the basic manager jobs suck. Like scheduling and such, but I'd love to hear from other chiefs here how their first days "in charge" went.

Mine was not pretty. After a long selection process I was hired from the outside to supervise a staff of twenty photogs. Several of them had been up for my job and many of them...no, let's be honest...most of them were really pissed off when they hired me, an outsider.

The ND finally made the decision I'd been waiting for. He told me I had the job and to come in, he wanted to introduce me to the staff. A photog meeting was scheduled after the six pm news. I was to wait in the ND's office while he went in and told the staff he'd made his choice. I remember sitting there in the office, waiting for him to return so excited about the new direction and possibilities ahead for me.

The news director walks back into his office after a few minutes with a less than happy look on his face. He'd talked to the photogs telling them what a good job they did and how much he respected all who had applied for the job. Then he told them he'd hired me from the outside.

Things went quickly downhill from there. The short story is most of the photogs were really upset and in the end, they all walked out of the meeting in front of the ND without even waiting to meet me. I couldn't believe it!

I could understand people being dissappointed but having them all walk out was the first clue I was in for a wild ride. It wasn't the happy "welcome" I expected. Call me naive...which I was. In retrospect I too might have walked out if the tables had been turned.

I had to face reality. It was up to me to prove I could do the job. Not only to the ND but to the staff of photogs who had all just walked out.

The ND suggested it might be a good idea if I just came back the next day and we'd try and reintroduce me to everyone. I felt action was required right then and there. If I didn't show a little of what I was made of, I'd never get the respect of any of the photogs...and in some ways, I felt I needed to prove something to the ND as well.

I raced down to the photog break room and found two or three of the shooters still there. All of them were not afraid to let me know how pissed off they were. I gave my best "hey, the decision has been made and I'm going to do a good job. I deserve a fair chance" speech.

It was actually more for my own good to do that rather than me actually thinking I was going to change any minds that same night.

The next day was not pretty but I made a point of having a one on one meeting with each and every photog. Telling them I understood what a crappy situation it was for all of us and that I wasn't the devil or some no talent, management puppet looking to screw them over. I wanted to know what they thought was good and bad about the station, their equipment, as well as get to know each of them as a person. I was there for them and that over time, they would see I would live up to that sell.

Not every photog was angry with me. Several even gave me encouragement but the majority were definately in the "this guy sucks" column.

The ND was still concerned. One of the inside candidates for the job was very upset that they didn't get the job and was...well, let's just say the photog was doing their best to make my life hell with lots of comments and actions undermining my new job position any way possible.

The ND knew this was happening and offered to fire the photog but that was the last thing I needed. If that photog got fired it would only cause more chaos in the staff and I'd look like a jerk and never get what I really wanted. Respect.

I told him no. I don't want the guy fired, or transfered, or whatever. Leave him alone and I'd handle it by doing my job the best I could for the betterment of all.

I learned patience. I learned a lot about people. I learned so much that first month. A lot of stuff I wish I'd never had to learn but it did make me a better manager as well as a better person.

In a few months things calmed down. My actions as chief were slowly acknowledged as being fair. As fair as anything can be in a newsroom environment.

I spent five years as chief. A great period of my life and I made some life long photog friends there who I still cherish to this day. Good talented people who taught me a lot. Not just about being a manager but being a better photog as well.

Lots of people think the chief needs to be the best photog in the building. I don't think that's true. I think you need a team where everyone is "the best". I had the best of both worlds because I could better myself on so many levels working with other talented, experienced photogs. Those lessons continue to pay off for me to this day when I deal with clients or people I hire.

I'm hoping my experience is the exception to what other chiefs experienced during their first days on the job but I'd love to hear what the rest of you did.

What would you do differently on your own first day as Chief? Anything? A lot depends on the situation you are in but I thought I'd share my own experience since so much on this site seems more focused on getting the job or handling basic chief jobs like scheduling and purchasing.

Has the chief photog position you hold lived up to what you thought it was supposed to be?

In the end, I missed being out on the street "doing the job". I liked being chief but I have more fun covering news, doing what I love most. Shooting and getting the rush of a job well done at the end of each and every day without having to worry about everyone else.

I'm not a selfish guy but I know what it is that puts a smile on my face when I'm wanting to earn a paycheck.

Best to all.

[ July 21, 2005, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: Lensmith ]

 

[SmlMktChief]

Great story Lensmith,

I have spent almost 6 years (short 2 months) as Chief at this small market station. I have had 8 or 9 photogs roll through here on their way to other photog positions or just other jobs. All have had an influence on me as well, me on them.

When I was appointed Chief, there was one other photog with more experience than I had. The main reason I got the job over him was his personality. He was one of those people who talked only when spoken to. The first couple of days on the job I could tell that he resented me and my position.

It gradually got better as I weilded (sp) my sword of power and proceded to run MY newsroom MY way. (just kidding)

Seriously, it did get better...he moved over to the NBC affiliate across town, where his brother worked. The rest of the team setteled in and we rolled on.

One thing that I think I had a hand in, in my tenure here, is bringing this station from #4 in a 3 station market to a tie for #1 as of the May book. It helps to have a staff that is willing to learn and grow as a team.

My ND was the Chief that I took over from, and he taught me a lot of things about being Chief. The rest I learned on my own, by trial and error. The only photog that worked for me that actually went somewhere is Eaglewolf (he is on these threads quite often). I can only hope that I had some influence on his present position. (This is market 158, he went from here to market 30 something)

Over all the experience has been wonderful. I never reget the day I was hired as a green newbie.

My story isn't quite as interesting as yours, but it is my story of my rise to power.

Whose is next?

 

[yellowbeta]

How about dealing with a former chief who wouldn't leave. That happened when I was promoted to chief.

For several months after I was promoted, the former chief would show up at the station to "chat". That made it hard to work with people because they would just keep working with him. Lucky for me, he did fade away.

Otherwise, tenure is a big help when you get the call. It helped me set up a level of respect with the newer staff.

 

[Lensmith]

I can't imagine having to deal with a situation like you did Yellowbeta.

I want to make very clear, I do not feel it is always better to hire a chief photog from the outside. There are a lot of reasons someone from inside would be a much better choice. My earlier post only dealt with my situation where I, as an outsider, wanted the job and how I got it in that particular situation.

I've known many chiefs who came from the inside and, as Yellowbeta mentions, tenure saves a lot of time getting yourself in place and used to the staff and station.

I have respect for all chief photogs. It is never an easy job no matter how "good" the station.

I've know places where the chief photog, for whatever reason, decided to return to a staff position at their station, continuing to work in the newsroom as a staff photog while others became chief. It worked well and everyone ended up happy.

There is no single "right" way to hire for the chief photog position anywhere. I was only trying to hear how many variations in experience were out there for "first day" or maybe "first week or months".

I don't want to embarrass anyone or put them in a spot if they reveal too much.

Best to all.

[ July 22, 2005, 09:27 AM: Message edited by: Lensmith ]

 

[Currentchief]

I came from the outside- sort of.

I had previously worked at this station more than 10 years ago and some people were still here when I arrived. The photog staff was completely different, however.

While I don't remember alot, I do remember being sized up and the whispering as I entered the newsroom. In particular, I remember a producer saying "he's big" as I passed by (I'm 6'4", 235lb)
But the rest is a blur.

A few days after my arrival, I held a meeting and passed out a list, in writing, of what I expected from them. I answered their questions about me, who I was, what I did and what I expected from them. That helped set the tone and the rest was just proving myself.

My tenure as chief has been interesting. Sometimes things go well, then sometimes I feel like the father of 12 as I referee fights, he said/she said, that's my battery, etc.

Overall, I would exchange it for nothing else. I really enjoy what I do.

[ July 22, 2005, 09:28 AM: Message edited by: Currentchief ]

 

[exassignedphotog]

I left a larger middle market station for a position as weekend assignment editor at a small station, this would also involve being able to shoot during the week which I liked having built into the job.

However I found out two days before I arrived, the current chief photog had quit for health reasons.

The ND basically told me in no uncertain terms that in addition to everything else I was going to be doing, chief photographer was being added to my title.

This was a small station, with a a young, but improving staff of photogs.

Having shot with a larger market station I think there was a built in level of respect, that I don't think if they had of promoted from the inside would have happened.

I think that photographry got better. Unlike the previous chief, I made it a point to meet with each photog one on one and go over a sampling of their work every few weeks.

I was there when we transitioned from HI-8 to DVC-Pro, and myself never having shot on DVC at the time we all had a learning curve.

In addition I was still lugging a camera during the week.

The station basically paid photogs SLIGHTLY better than minimum wage, and most of the photogs had second jobs. Most could NOT work overtime because of that, so I had no problem relieving a guy when needed.

I was only there for about a year, before I started feeling burnt out with the business, and had all but decided to get out. The icing on the cake was the station hired a new Assistant ND, and he decided he would take on the chief photographer duties. He wasn't a shooter by trade.

Well there was a real unhappy feeling within the photogs about that. Who would you respect more someone who has exeperience doing your job, who still straps on a camera. Or someone who sits in an air conditioned office all day and has never been a shooter? A couple quit based on this alone.

Secondly he basically told the photogs, that second jobs had to go, if you don't like what they were being paid, they needed to find somewhere else to work. I can understand that, but people have to eat.

Anyway I left and never looked back. I decided that if I ever went back into tv it would be as a photog, and never as an assignment editor. But I did enjoy my time as chief, I got a better perspective and I did see several of the photogs who worked for me go onto larger market stations.

 

[oldman]

hmmmmmm so long ago....

i had been in the shop for about 6 months when i was promoted to chief. most of the guys were older then me and very accomplished film shooters. it was a battle royal for the first 6 months

of course, we were going to eng at the time and i got tapped simply because i could make the old tk's and jvc recorders work. my first responsibility was to teach the others how to do the same. most of them gave up and left the business...ticked off at me. i understand that completely. we were changing how we did things and the old "film" pace of the day was gone...replaced by the new (notice i didn't say improved) pace of live breaking news.

so now it is 25 years later and only one photog on the staff predates my tenure. i can honestly say i have hired the other 12 and that i am quite pleased with the way things have turned out.

in my mind, the greatest thing a chief can do is to sponsor a culture of sharing tips and tricks amoung the staff. once that is rolling you just get the hell out of the way, make sure that they have what they need to do their job and only step in when you seen one going down hill or to mediate between them and the reporter/producer/desk editor that they are struggling with.

are some of them better shooters then me? yes. hands down. and for me that is not a problem....my job as chief is to have the best photo staff in town and to beat the competition. every award they win is in a way a feather in my own cap...i was able to put them there...give them the tools...and let them have the freedom they need to succeed.

this culture also allows me to get out and shoot every day as well....i am proud to say that i shoot as much as any person on my staff....and still get that charge that we all need from time to time when we get that "perfect shot".

how much longer i can do this is another question........

edited for grammer....if ya can believe that...lol

[ July 25, 2005, 11:17 AM: Message edited by: oldman ]

 

[shootist]

Originally posted by Lensmith:
Things went quickly downhill from there. The short story is most of the photogs were really upset and in the end, they all walked out of the meeting in front of the ND without even waiting to meet me. I couldn't believe it!

sorry, johnny....but i am sitting here chuckling...no... laughing. i forgot all about that. that really must've sucked but what the hell....we ALL had some major "eat my $hit" attitudes.

y'know...at this point, i don't remember who all applied for it from inside....(i didn't) and if you were to PM me, I'd keep it private.

Anyway....you did great John....it was a bizarre shop back then. we had "old school" "new school" and "no school" all festering and fermenting with spit and vinegar flying everywhere. until the $hit hit the fan and everyone got it together and kicked @$$...until the next day...when the ornery cretins came out of their holes again.

But you managed it/us well. Brought some behind the curve guys up to snuff. utilized those with limits to their fullest. somehow managed to keep about 95% of the staff happy. rewarded the talented @$$-kickers with toys and perks.

you looked out for us. long road for you...but well-travelled, my friend.

scott

 

[iblades]

I have had the rare pleasure (or dis-pleasure) of becoming chief of 12 photogs after being at my station for over 10 years, then coming in as an outsider in my current role a staff of 20. Much like your story, many were up for the position, and I was met with some resistance, mainly on the question of seniority. I did not have the staff walk out on my 1st meeting that must have been unbelieveable. I used my previous experience to remember patience, think of where they are coming from, and let them know I'm here for them. But, I also have a mission, and here's how it is going to play out. One thing I did was telling the veterans that I would not make any major changes for about 6 months, to let me get a gauge on them.I told them I would treat all fairly, but not the same, that raised a few eyebrows, but with so many differing
personalities and experience levels I found most people have a certain niche. My experiences have been good at both stations, being the bad guy at times can turn your stomach, but if your honest with people it can make the hurt better. I learned this when I had to fire a guy for his temper, which the reporter had the same problem, but was untouched. I was told by the news director to take escort him out and take him home, talk about a frosty ride, but I told him If he needed me to call the competition I would, and he wound up getting a Sports Anchor job, after being a photog for 6 months, good things happen to good people. The hours have been long, many missed birthday's, not too many missed anniversary's that a death nell. Getting things done after shooting and running a truck all day, then providing an ear, or reeling somebody in, or just de-compressing.The reward for the job is when guys come to you and say I'm looking to advance my career, can you help me? And I've had 6 or so photog's go to bigger markets, or become assignment managers or operations managers that's why I do this!