Featuring the Houston Chronicle Director of Photography Steve Gonzales

The Houston Chronicle has had a lot of changes over the last few months. As we are in Texas and everybody understands football is the state religion, is building a photo staff like designing a winning team? For example, looking for the right players to put in as quarterback, defensive end and running back.
My last job was in Missouri, not only known as the "Show Me" state but also for some fairly good baseball clubs. A former coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals, Whitey Herzog, had a quote that I have modeled a good part of my management style on; "A sense of humor (needs for successful manager) and a good bullpen." On my team, I believe that everyone on staff will be a well-rounded visual journalist. Whether it is baseball, football, soccer or field hockey, an unbeatable team is one in which every member knows the team's goal and can fill in for different positions when needed.

With our staff in Houston I use the word team in my daily vocabulary. When I arrived in Houston, I told the photo staff that we would build a world-class team. As in any team organization, the goal is to compliment. We complimented our staff with our new hires. Being careful not to bring in talented hires that would disrupt the growth of the team, but talent that would keep the staff moving forward.

I have told our staff members that I will push them out of their comfort zone to help them become the best journalists possible. This means that some staff members who have never shot a major league sporting event will be sent to cover one. Staffers who have never spent much time in the studio will now have ample time in the studio. I also needed to bring in some talented photo editors who could coach the staff. This was as important to me as hiring new photojournalists.

So, I guess the best answer I can give about my dream team would be that on my team, everyone would have the skills to be the quarterback, defensive end and running back. That is the goal that I have set for our team and we now have everyone learning all the positions in our playbook.

What makes a winning team?
Well-rounded players and a good coaching staff.

How do you make sure the photo staff fits in with the overall newspaper staff?
My goal is for journalistic excellence. Under the leadership of Editor Jeff Cohen, he has set this for the entire newspaper. My goal has always been for outstanding journalism. So, I believe we are on the right track of fitting into the newspapers goals.

After an "eye," what's the most important quality you look for in a shooter?
First of all, I have to address the question presented to me. I have tried to erase the word "shooter" from my vocabulary when talking about photojournalists. I prefer to use photojournalist, visual journalist or simply journalist.

For me the word "shooter" is some gang-banger from my childhood neighborhood who would fire a weapon at someone and hit everything but his target. When we use the word "shooter" in a newsroom it is not giving members of our profession the respect they deserve. You never hear writers refer to themselves as scribblers. If we want respect in our newsrooms, we need to start with respecting ourselves.

After an "eye" what's the most important quality I look for in a photojournalist? I look for someone who can excel in a team environment and can write. I have met and interviewed many talented photographers, but I am looking for not only a talented photographer, but someone who has good reporting and writing skills.

They have to able to write a story, have a good understanding of how to compose a well-rounded cutline. Someone who will deliver a good quote to compliment the cutline. And I am always looking for a photojournalist that will work well with the rest of the staff.

We have all heard horror stories of a bad seed that spreads their cancer through out a staff and makes everyone miserable. I look for photojournalists that will excel when they cover big events but are also doing the same excellent work while covering the boring "pet of the week" assignment.

A good attitude is important too. There is no room for error in my hiring practices. I need to build and not take backward steps. So, hiring a team player that is able to hit the ground running is very important.

What do you want to see in a portfolio?
I want to see what they have to bring to the table. What makes them better than anyone else who wants to work at the Chronicle? What makes them unique?

There is no magic number of images for candidates to present to me in a portfolio. I want to see their best images, not their first published image and not the image they took of the president arriving at the local airport while they were on death watch. I want to see their best. If that is 10 images, then that is it.

Don't try to load your portfolio with mistakes. Too often I see portfolios that start out strong and then wane by the end, leaving me bored stiff. I want to see the best of their best. Show me the sparks and glimmer that represents their style. I can make them better once they are here, that is my job.

If the CD doesn't open or if I have to open each image in PhotoShop, then I guarantee you the portfolio is not going to be viewed by me. There are other applicants who will ease the portfolio review for me. I hate it when job candidates waste my time.

Send me and show me your ability to write. Do your cutlines answer all the "W's?" Were you able to get quotes from your subjects? Remember this is a journalism job you are applying for, not a photographer's job at Wal-Mart.

What do you look for in a cover letter?
A cover letter and mailing label should have my name and title correct. Right now, I have several portfolios in my office addressed to Steve Gonzalez or the AME/Photo. And yes, they are unopened. My last name ends with an "s" and I am the director of photography. The paper does not have an AME position for photography.

Let's face it, the job they are applying for is in journalism. Journalists are expected to get the information correct. If they can't get my name or title correct how am I supposed to count on them during a routine assignment?

The cover letter should be short and sweet. Tell me why you want to work at the Chronicle. Show me that you know something about the paper and the city. Save the life story about the time you saw a rainbow and how the stars aligned as you looked through your viewfinder for the first time. This goes back to the wasting my time business, I just want an introduction, not your life story.

What are you looking for in an rŽsumŽ?
I don't know if I have ever seen a bad rŽsumŽ. One important thing is to tell the truth. If you didn't work at a place, graduate from a university or receive an award then don't say that you did, don't lie. I am very thorough in my background checks and it is disastrous for the candidates who claim they did something that they did not. Also, include at least three references. And it would best to give me someone else as a reference other than buddies you have worked with.

How important are first impressions to you?
First impressions are as important as being on time to work.

In this revitalization of the Chronicle shooting staff, how much opportunity do you see for the newspaper changing?
The Chronicle's photojournalism staff has the sky as the limit. When I interviewed with Editor Jeff Cohen he set the goal for excellence. He told me that he would give me all the resources and support to raise the bar for excellence. I feel blessed that I am here watching this sleeping giant awaken from a long rest.

How much impact can a photo staff have on a newspaper?
Impact, great impact. In the last eight months our staff has produced some of the best work I have ever seen a staff produce. The best compliments are those that come from people we respect. Ernie Williamson, the former editor of the Houston Post, now AME of News, told me recently that our staff produced the best visual report in one day than he had seen in his entire career. Readers are e-mailing, calling and writing about the good work they are seeing in our publication.

Are you willing to consider students who have just graduated, or are you looking for someone with more experience and how much?
The Houston Chronicle is the major leagues. I am looking for someone with several years of experience. I like to tell future candidates that they need at least five years working at a daily newspaper before I would consider them for a job. College graduates would be best served working at smaller dailies to gain the experience needed to work at the Chronicle.

With many college students about to graduate and jobs scarce, what advice you would give them?
I would like to see all college students have a couple of internships before they graduate. This would give them a step up when attempting to enter the work force. Too often I see students graduating without an internship under their belt. Then they turn to a photo editor and ask them why they will not consider them for a job. They don't have anything to show us other then a piece of paper that tells us where they have been for four years. The advice I would give them is to make sure they have a portfolio to show when they leave college. If they have talent, they will find a job. The job might be a small daily in a very small city, but I have hired some of those folks who have worked hard and won awards at many of these small dailies.

What advice would you give a college photographer who is intent on landing a spot at the Houston Chronicle?
The same as above. Work hard and be patience at a small daily, enter the NPPA contest. Win awards and editors like me will take notice.



If you've ever wondered what hiring editors and internship selection committees are looking for, welcome to Region 8's Q&A section. This feature pins down photo directors and editors from Region 8 news organizations, large and small, on what they want to see in your portfolio and resume.
For suggestions on interview subjects or questions to ask them, e-mail Tricia Buchhorn, photo adviser of The Ranger at San Antonio College, at triciab@accd.edu.