Photojournalism project is designed to explore the untold stories of Nepal. Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of its natural diversity and that of its people, cultures and practices. However, there are numerous issues in marginalized communities that are far from beautiful. These issues have not been brought to light and so they remain unaddressed and unsolved due to a lack of interest, resources, and/or expertise.
Most of the time, stories in words cannot help readers fully appreciate the exact intensity of a situation, while a picture itself tells a story. That’s why it is said a picture is worth a thousand words. A Photojournalism project in Nepal offers you a diverse and dramatic context for reporting, while also helping to highlight social, economic and /or environmental issues in communities as a means to spur action towards solutions.
If you are interested in Photojournalism in Nepal there are plenty of interesting issues that you can chose as your project. A photojournalist is usually expected to take photos of landscape, festivals, people and capture their day to day life!
The major goal of the Photo Journalism or Photography project is to produce promotional photos and video clips. The visual images of an event or people are powerful tools to advocate the issues faced by the underprivileged communities we work. We communicate social issue to the outside world in a powerful way using your photos and short video clips. They will be shared through our websites, social media and networks.
Whether you are already a practicing photojournalist, a student of photojournalism, or are just passionate about photography, the photojournalism project offers you the opportunity to enhance your photography skills, broaden your experience and build confidence in how to capture images that convey the depth of a situation. While your journalism education will have provided you basic photography and journalism knowledge, an internship as a photojournalist would allow you to develop professional skills, such as: persistence, speed, flexibility, resourcefulness, and the ability to handle stress and deadline pressures. So through journalism internship, you will have an opportunity to practice your photography skills and abilities and make your resume look better.
Photo journalism employs images in order to tell a news story. As a photographer, you will take photos of certain events, person, or simply of an object.
Guided by your area of interest, we may assign you a list of events, themes to take photograph about on your arrival at VIN. During your journalism volunteering and internship, you will visit our rural communities, observe the projects, festivals, meet people and take photos to a tell story. There are numerous heritage sites, natural beauty that you may capture too.
If you have a requirement to work with a media house to learn the process of journalism, you may communicate to us and we will organize with our media house partners.
During the placement, you will live with a Nepali host family or a hostel in the project area. This will ensure you become immersed in Nepali culture and language, which will enrich your experience and indirectly inform your work. The photo journalism volunteer will do one or more of the following activities:
- Plan the topics you are assigned to take photography.
- As a photojournalist, capture images of events, incidents or people.
- As a photojournalist, take pictures of unexplored topics.
- Photography in an existing social issues.
- Record videos of an important moment of an event or person.
- Consider 6Ws of journalism while taking a picture (Who, What, Why, When, Where and How).
- Editing and preparing pictures taken in real life situations to obtain visual materials used to support news stories.
- Prepare captions and also small explanation of theme based photos.
- Create project wise photo album.
Project Specific Skills
- Background in Photo Journalism
- Technical skills such as color correction, shot composition, and lighting
- Journalistic skills, with accurate and informative captioning
- Passionate about photography
- Required to bring your own photographic equipment (Laptop, camera, lightening equipment etc.)
- Experience in making high-quality educational and social photography is an added asset
Desirable/ Common Skills
- Excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills
- A team player with good workethics
- Time management and leadership qualities
- Adaptable, flexible and able to work under pressure
- Accepting of different ideas and culture
- Problem solving: always be part of solutions than part of a problem
- Creative
- Positive attitude
Requirements
- Gender: Female / Male
- Minimum Age: 18+ years (16-17 years old person can volunteer but need to present parents’/ guardian’s consent letter)
- Language:English (Intermediate)
- Educational:High School Graduate
Your Experience/ Setting
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will receive a warm welcome and be transported to your hotel or hostel. If you are already in Nepal before the start of your placement, we can make alternative arrangements for you. You will undergo a comprehensive two- to three-day induction program after arrival. This induction will provide valuable information about your project and general information about the Nepalese language, culture, health, safety, and security. It is also an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers and interns who can become your companions for sightseeing and a source of support throughout your volunteer placement.
During the induction period, you will be accommodated in a budget hotel or hostel arranged by VIN. However, most of the VIN experience involves living with a Nepalese host family. While this immersion is essential for a complete experience, we understand that it can be challenging as you adapt to a new culture and adjust to facilities that may be more basic than you are accustomed to. Don’t worry; all our host families have experience accommodating volunteers, although their English-speaking abilities may vary. Also, you will have 24-hour access to our staff members for support and assistance throughout your placement.
Volunteers will be assigned to one of VIN’s working areas, which include Tarakeshor Municipality in Kathmandu, Taluwa, Thulachhap, and Bhadaure in Okhaldhunga, and Okharpouwa and Kaule in the Nuwakot district. While at the working site, volunteers are requested to bring their lunch box, water bottle, safety gear, face mask, and any other essential belongings. We advise volunteers to dress comfortably and modestly, preferably with long sleeves. Please get in touch with us for guidance and support if you want to raise project funds or collect project-specific resources. This will help the community a lot.
Schedule and Commitment
You will work five to six days a week, up to six hours per day. You may propose your preferred time and hours; however, the working time period will be dependent on the institution you have been placed. A minimum of 2 weeks’ time commitment is expected of a volunteer. The longer you commit; the better impact you can make. You should be willing to commit a certain amount of your free time and energy, show a lot of commitment and be a good listener. You are expected to work constructively and co-operatively maintaining good reputation and standards at all times. Volunteer should abide by relevant security concerns and access procedures. Moreover, you should be receptive and positive to performance appraisal, advice and feedback. Throughout your placement, you will have the full support of VIN. Your safety is our highest priority.
Your typical day might look like this:
| 07:00-08:00 | Tea/Leisure Time |
| 08:00-09:00 | Breakfast/Brunch (Nepali meal – Daal-Bhaat) |
| 09:00-10:00 | Preparation for sessions |
| 10:00-13:00 | Photoshoot |
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch (Packed lunch) |
| 15:00-17:00 | Work on the photos with publication teams |
| 17:00-20:00 | Preparation for next day/Leisure time |
| 20:00-21:00 | Dinner (Nepali meal – Daal-Bhaat) |
You will receive a clear and concise on-the-job instructions, course of action, context of work and policies/strategies before your placement begins. You will be provided with ample of guidance and support throughout the placement with trainings / onboarding sessions incase necessary. You will be in a constant communication and regular check-in with the VIN volunteer coordinator. VIN aims to maintain a culture of continuous feedback between the volunteer supervisor at the placement to monitor the performance of the volunteer and ensure the project delivers desired outcomes.
In case of an emergency, you may contact one of our Volunteer Coordinators who will be available anytime for your assistance and support.
Click here to Learn more on how volunteering works
Mid and Long Term Volunteers:
2 weeks minimum stay- € 350
3 weeks – 450€
4 weeks – 550€ (after 4th week, for each additional week €85)
University Internships:
4 weeks minimum stay- € 650 (for each additional week – €95
Click here to Learn what’s included and excluded in our Fees Section
Click here to Learn recruitment process on how volunteering works
Our projects are open year-round, and our inductions begin on the first and third Mondays of each month. We would like to ask that volunteers arrive one day before the start of the induction. You can choose the duration of your participation based on your available time. However, so that you know, our volunteering placements are limited. We highly recommend booking your placement in advance to secure your placement. Click here to apply.
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