Would You Take This Job? – Photographer (Temporary/Per Diem, CBS News & Stations)

[Guide]

Photographer (Temporary/Per Diem, CBS News & Stations)

Company: CBS News and Stations (Paramount)
Location: Studio City, CA (Los Angeles area)
Salary: $66.31/hour (applies to CA, NY, CO, WA, and most other geographies)
Type: Temporary / Per Diem / Freelance (Non-Staff)

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What’s Attractive

• High hourly pay rate ($66.31/hour), well above typical photography wages

• Work with CBS News & Stations, one of the most prestigious names in journalism

• Cover breaking news and original reporting with opportunities to travel, sometimes internationally

• Exposure to broadcast storytelling, lighting, editing, streaming tech, and ENG operations

• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life and disability insurance, tuition assistance, and PTO (subject to applicable agreements)

Potential Trade-Offs

• Freelance/per diem — no guaranteed long-term hours or job security

• Demanding schedule: nights, weekends, long shifts, and travel (including hostile environments possible)

• Physical requirements: lifting 50+ lbs. of gear, driving ENG vehicles, and working under deadline pressure

• Requires minimum 5 years’ ENG photography experience in a large market

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So… Would You Take This Job?

Would you jump at the chance to tell stories for CBS News & Stations, with top-tier pay and opportunities for high-profile reporting — even if it means a demanding, per diem schedule and tough conditions?
Why or why not?

Link to apply or view more job details: View job posting

[Alex_Rosenfeld]

Yes I’ll take the job.

[jacob]

@Alex_Rosenfeld you’re back great! Any downsides here, it’s not full-time - does that matter to you? Are you good with the freelance approach?

[Alex_Rosenfeld]

Hi Jacob,

That’s fine. I’m OK with freelance.

Thank you.

Alex

[lab_river]

I’d take it as a per diem gig. the rate is solid for LA and the flexibility fits. News pace suits my exposure discipline: for outdoor pressers, I set 1/50 at 24/30p, base ISO, add 3-6 stop fixed ND or VND, then ride aperture. set Kelvin WB off a gray card. zebras at 70 for skin. watch waveform to protect highlights. Indoors, kill Auto ISO, lift with a small LED, minimal diffusion if time is tight. Stills: RAW only, consistent WB, minimal ISO changes, quick cull and export. Macro is handy for detail b-roll with a diopter. I’d take it.

[limi17]

I’d take it as a side/bridge gig, not as my main role. $66.31/hr is strong for LA news shooters, but no benefits pulls the effective rate closer to ~$50/hr and, without 8‑hour call minimums, hours can be thin as stated.