Danielle Scruggs: Insight from the Picture Desk Editor at Getty Images
As a global picture desk editor at Getty Images, no two days are the same.
1.) What made you choose to pursue a career in the photo industry?
I pursued a career in the industry because of the endless storytelling possibilities, both as a photographer and a photo editor. As a photographer, I value being able to hold space for, and meet people from all walks of life, especially Black and POC, and have the honor of visually translating their stories. It is my goal to be a steward of our stories and protect their integrity as much as possible. As a photo editor, I love collaborating with other photographers, learning how they approach different subject matters and working together to select images that best represent both the story and the photographer behind it.
2.) Break it down for us. What does a day in your position look like?
As a global picture desk editor at Getty Images, no two days are the same. Depending upon what is going on in the news, I may be editing captions, routing pool photos of Senate hearings or the State of the Union from several publications, or you might find me editing videos for Getty’s social media channels, or a newsletter for subscribers. During busy playoff seasons, I am editing college and professional sports photos. And there are days where I am assisting assignment editors on tight deadlines due to breaking news coverage, to ensure that photographers are sending accurate information to the global picture desk.
Our rich and illustrious history is also rife with exploitation, especially related to marginalized communities and people of color.
3.) How do you define success in your field?
The older I get, and the more I work with organizations like Women Photograph and Authority Collective, the more I define success in terms of care. I tend to ask myself questions such as, “did I handle an image, photographer, story or subject that was openly shared with me with care?”
Our rich and illustrious history is also rife with exploitation, especially related to marginalized communities and people of color. This understanding led me to define success in how I was able to adjust a caption’s language, advocate for a certain photographer who will handle a story with the sensitivity it deserves, or maybe simply voiced my concerns over how an image was taken and the person in the frame was portrayed. Three to five years ago, I may have had a different vision of success, but through my growth, proceeding with care is what I strive for now.
4.) What’s your endgame?
I would love to create a residency and scholarship program for up-and-coming Black photographers/lens-based artists. It is my ultimate goal to share my industry knowledge and experience through mentorship of future generations.
5.) What’s one resource that you wish you had right now?
While I always wish that I had the resource of more time to plan everything I want to do, I realize that feeling short of time is also a sign that if I am patient with myself, and adjust my timeline, I will eventually accomplish my future goals.
When I was at Howard University, I met so many Black photographers working in the industry
6.) What was your “aha” moment where you realized that you could actually work in the photo industry? When I was at Howard University, I met so many Black photographers working in the industry, including Sharon Farmer, who was the White House’s first Black woman photographer. This led to my realization that I could turn my love of photography into a real career.
7.) What was something that you wish you would’ve known sooner?
I wish I had known early on in my career that I could turn to my peers for mentorship. It wasn’t until I got older that I gradually realized that we are there to support each other.
Photos courtesy of Danielle Scruggs
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