Photo Editor (RP)

The Walt Disney Company • Washington, DC

56d • $65,300 - $87,500

About The Position

National Geographic Books is seeking a highly specialized Photo Editor with deep institutional knowledge of National Geographic’s photographic legacy and a strong command of science-based visual storytelling. This role goes beyond traditional photo editing: the ideal candidate brings an archivist’s instinct, a researcher’s discipline, and the creative problem-solving needed to illustrate complex scientific concepts in compelling, visually accessible ways.

Requirements

• Extensive working knowledge of National Geographic’s photographic history, archive, and stylistic evolution, with the ability to identify contributors, eras, and signature approaches.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing and editing imagery for complex, conceptually challenging science subjects; familiarity with scientific archives and lab-based photography strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to collaborate with scientists, researchers, and academics to ensure accuracy and precision.
• 5–7+ years of professional photo editing experience, ideally in science, history, or documentary publishing.
• Exceptional research skills and the ability to synthesize complex topics into visual narratives.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and comfort working within a fast-paced publishing environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the editorial lead for projects requiring deep historical contextualization, including legacy retrospectives, archival-driven books, and cross-platform collaborations with the National Geographic Society.
• Conduct advanced archival research across National Geographic’s historic photo collections, using extensive internal knowledge to surface rare, definitive, or overlooked images.
• Develop and execute visual strategies for conceptually difficult science topics—astronomy, geology, climate science, evolutionary biology, environmental processes, and more.
• Source photography and illustrations from specialized scientific databases, research institutions, NASA/NOAA/ESA channels, university labs, and subject-matter experts.
• Translate complex scientific concepts into visually engaging image packages through creative solutions (e.g., microscopic imagery, satellite data visualization, photomicrography, composite workflows, scientific diagrams).
• Collaborate closely with authors, scientists, designers, and cartographers to ensure scientific accuracy, narrative clarity, and historical integrity.
• Manage licensing, rights clearances, and metadata accuracy for a mix of archival, contemporary, and scientific imagery.
• Contribute to long-range visual planning for books that rely on National Geographic’s heritage, including imagery selection for anniversaries, exhibition tie-ins, or brand-defining titles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed