'Women of Vision': How Females Lead Photojournalism
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‘WOMEN OF VISION’: HOW FEMALES LEAD PHOTOJOURNALISM DEPARTMENTS IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD ____________________________________________________________ A Thesis presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School at the University of Missouri-Columbia ____________________________________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts ____________________________________________________________ by ELIZABETH J. PIERSON Dr. Berkley Hudson, Thesis Supervisor MAY 2015 The undersigned, appointed by the dean of the Graduate School, have examined the thesis entitled ‘WOMEN OF VISION’: HOW FEMALES LEAD PHOTOJOURNALISM DEPARTMENTS IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD Presented by Elizabeth J. Pierson, a candidate for the degree of master of arts, and hereby certify that, in their opinion, it is worthy of acceptance. ___________________________________________________ Professor Berkley Hudson ___________________________________________________ Professor Brian Kratzer ___________________________________________________ Professor David Rees ___________________________________________________ Professor Mary Beth Marrs ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge all of the people in my life who have helped me in both my college and professional careers, including those who have not yet helped but one day will. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge my wonderful mentors who have helped me complete this thesis. Berkley Hudson, my committee chair, mentor, trusted advisor and friend has helped me in more ways than he knows. He saved my sanity and encouraged me endlessly over the last six years to pursue my dreams at all costs. I am forever grateful for his wisdom and would not be a photo editor without him. Thank you, Berkley. Brian Kratzer taught me to love photo editing. His passion for this career is unparalleled and I am grateful for the numerous hours he spent letting me vent and helping me learn. Thank you, Brian. David Rees has been a great ally to me and supported me at a young age when I had a crazy idea of mixing majors and continued his unwavering support when I had a dream of going to graduate school for photo editing. Thank you, David. Mary Beth Marrs showed me what being a women in a leadership position looked like and always contributed in exactly the right way. She brought a unique angle to this study and a smile to every meeting. Thank you, Mary Beth. Secondly, it would be impossible for me to complete this study without the constant support of my family. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for being my biggest fans. Lastly, I must acknowledge the women who helped me in this study and the women working in photo editing around the world. Each woman in this study was brave enough to say what they felt about being women in the photo-editing world, but each woman also, without words, provides a positive example for me and the future women ii who will undoubtedly pursue careers in photo editing. Thank you, Vivian, MaryAnne, Alyssa, Becky, Sarah and Deb. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………..ii Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………v Chapter 1: Introduction……………………………………………………………………1 Chapter 2: Literature Review……………………………………………………………...4 Research Question……………………………………………………………………….16 Chapter 3: Methodology…………………………………………………………………17 Chapter 4: Findings And Discussion………….…………………………………………25 Chapter 5: Conclusion…………………………………………………………………....48 References………………………………………………………………………………..52 APPENDIX A. IRB Approved Participant Interview Questions……………………….………..56 B. Transcribed Interviews………………………………………………………….58 C. Example of IRB Approved Recruitment Email……………………………….115 D. Example of IRB Approved Consent Form…………………….………...……116 iv WOMEN OF VISION’: HOW FEMALES LEAD PHOTOJOURNALISM DEPARTMENTS IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD Elizabeth J. Pierson Dr. Berkley Hudson, Thesis Supervisor Abstract This qualitative research using feminist theories examines the ways in which female and male leadership characteristics differ according to perceptions of photojournalism editors. The goal is to understand how women feel about working in photo editing positions and to explore the challenges they face in a male-dominated industry. This study consisted of six in-depth interviews with women who manage photo departments across a variety of journalistic media – specifically magazines, newspapers and photo agencies. On a theoretical level, this study helps to illustrate why considering gender is still relevant in contemporary journalism studies based on the past and present experiences of the women in both the task of photo editing and the way they lead their departments. On a practical level, this work calls attention to the disparity in the number of female to male photo editors and thus present a call to action to consciously, and intentionally, incorporate more women into the industry and alleviate any existing discrimination, however small, in the workplace. v Chapter 1: Introduction Fifty two percent of all adult women currently participate in the labor force. Women represent an estimated 47 percent of the total labor force in the United States (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013, p. 1). Though this marks an overall increase in female participation in the workforce — compared to the less than 41 percent in 1970 — the photojournalism industry has not seen such growth. According to a 2013 census, females continue to make up less than one third of employees in newsrooms, a number that has remained relatively consistent for the past 10 years (American Society of News Editors, 2013). Similarly, female photographers constitute less than 25 percent of the photojournalism field and even fewer are employed in photo editing or management positions (Thomas, 2007). This gender imbalance was reflected as recently as October 2013, when National Geographic unveiled a project at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. titled “Women of Vision.” This exhibition recognized the work and careers of 11 female photojournalists and marked the first exhibition of female photographers among National Geographic’s 60 regular contributing photographers (National Geographic, 2013). By calling attention to the gender of the photographers in the title and overall theme of the exhibit, National Geographic, as a publication known for its expert photojournalism, appears to be recognizing that women are underrepresented in this field and are deserving of special attention and acknowledgment. This type of exhibition, while positive in its intent, reveals that women photographers continue to be the subjects of such affirmative action as minorities in the industry. 1 That being said, little, if any, research has been done on how gender influences the practice of photojournalism, so this study aimed to contribute to the body of scholarly knowledge regarding women in the photo industry – specifically in magazines, newspapers and photo agencies – and mass communication research in general. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the impact and role of female photo editors working in various media. The photojournalism industry is one historically marked by male leadership —and dominated by male photographers (Thomas, 2007) — and this research sought to illustrate the ways in which women work in contemporary photo departments and the study focused on understanding the differences in their leadership styles compared to their male counterparts. By addressing this topic, perhaps this study calls attention to this disparity in the numbers of female and male photo editors and thus presents a call to action to consciously, and intentionally, incorporate more women into the industry. On a theoretical level, if the women interviewed identify gender as a limiting factor in their careers or point to situations in which they consider their own gender while working in a male-dominated industry, this study helps to illustrate why considering gender and equality is still relevant in contemporary journalism studies. The research used different aspects of the feminist theory to analyze the response of the women photo editors interviewed. The thesis identifies the ways that women manage photojournalism departments and how their gender contributes or detracts from their effectiveness in their profession. The research aimed to address adversity these female leaders may feel, or may have felt, in their careers in the photo industry. Ideally, in consideration of this project, journalists 2 and communication academics will better understand the role women play in photo departments across different media and their place in the broader categories of female journalists and photo editors. This research encourages both male and female photojournalists, photo editors, and journalists as a whole to reflect on women’s—and ideally their own—roles in and contributions to the field of journalism. 3 Chapter 2: Literature Review The literature presented here highlights the main subject areas based on the available research surrounding women in journalism, specifically journalism management and leadership. The literature is used to study similar research and, eventually, support further research relating to women in journalism careers. The review focuses on gender and explores the gendered nature of photojournalism and photo editing as careers; it addresses the overall lack of women in these professions and, more specifically, the challenges women face in both entering and managing a male-dominated field. This review looks at the history of women