Benjamin Hager
Houston,TX
Summary
Award-winning visuals director, editor and content creator with twenty years of experience navigating digital media landscapes.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Visual Journalism
Houston Chronicle
01.2024 - Current
- Oversee the visuals department at one of the largest legacy news organizations in the country
- Responsible for managing day-to-day news coverage, as well as long-term strategic initiatives focused on balancing the growth of digital audience while maintaining a profitable print product
- Use a data-driven approach in directing a staff of ten photojournalists and two deputy editors, with the goal of creating compelling visual assets that are equally affective across all platforms
- Edit photo, video and graphics to support a range of content from long-term projects to quick turn digital presentations
- Manage budget, schedule and licensing requests
- Collaborate with senior management to ensure strategic visions align.
Director of Photography
Las Vegas Review-Journal
12.2015 - Current
- Manage schedule, payroll and daily news coverage for fifteen photographers, videographers and photo editors, covering assignments in the Las Vegas metro area for the largest news organization in Nevada
- Oversee the execution of daily print and video products, including 7@7 newscast, as well as coordinating breaking news and long-term digital strategies
- Responsible for the negotiation and licensing of all Review-Journal visual content
- As photographer, shot and edited photos utilizing Photoshop, Final Cut and Premiere
- Covered world-class entertainment, breaking news, features and professional sports; including the Democratic National Convention, Route 91 shooting and murder of Review-Journal colleague Jeff German
- Lead photographer for the 2020 Raiders inaugural season and first Stanley Cup appearance for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Video Editor
Standard-Examiner
11.2014 - 12.2015
- Photographer/videographer/editor covering news assignments in the Salt Lake City area
- Shot news, sports, portraits, food and design for 60-k circulation daily newspaper, as well as editorial photography for publication's monthly magazine.
Photojournalist
Advocate
06.2009 - 11.2015
- Staff photographer for 100k-circulation monthly magazine focused on community journalism in the five boroughs of Dallas.
Photo Director
Harlem Globetrotters International
11.2007 - 12.2009
- Director of Photography for the Harlem Globetrotter's domestic tour schedule
- Responsible for all visual content ranging from game action to media relations
- Hired and trained staff for all major venues in 360+ cities
- Managed Live Nation and NBA photo operation covering the Dallas Mavericks, House of Blues and all major music venues in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Photojournalist
The Sun
01.2006 - 05.2007
- Staff photographer for 60k-circulation newspaper shooting breaking news, sports, entertainment and food; including Arizona State University and the Arizona Cardinals
Intern
Journal-Star
12.2005 - 02.2006
- Intern at 85k-circulation newspaper.
Intern
Times-News
07.2005 - 12.2005
- Intern at 75k-circulation newspaper.
Education
B.A. Journalism -
California State University
San Francisco, CASkills
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Audience Development
- Team Management
- Strategic Planning
- Project Coordination
- Media Relations
- Staff Development
- Budget Management
- Contract Management
- Corporate Communications
- Staff training/development
Activities/Awards
- Nevada Press Foundation, Visual Journalist of the Year, 2021
- Best of West, Best Multiple Picture Feature, and Best Feature, 2019
- Society for News Design, Photographer of the Year, 2018
- Nevada Press Foundation, Best Portrait, Illustration, Digital Feature. Finalist for Visual Journalist of the Year, 2018
- Nevada Press Foundation, Best Portrait, Illustration, News Coverage, 2017
- Nevada Press Foundation, Best News, Sports, Illustrated Photo, 2016
Timeline
Director of Visual Journalism
Houston Chronicle
01.2024 - Current
Director of Photography
Las Vegas Review-Journal
12.2015 - Current
Video Editor
Standard-Examiner
11.2014 - 12.2015
Photojournalist
Advocate
06.2009 - 11.2015
Photo Director
Harlem Globetrotters International
11.2007 - 12.2009
Photojournalist
The Sun
01.2006 - 05.2007
Intern
Journal-Star
12.2005 - 02.2006
Intern
Times-News
07.2005 - 12.2005
B.A. Journalism -
California State University
Similar Profiles
Debra McCombsDebra McCombs
Senior Executive Advertising Sales Representative at The Houston Chronicle-Hearst Corp.-Houston Comm.Senior Executive Advertising Sales Representative at The Houston Chronicle-Hearst Corp.-Houston Comm.
Nicholas A. PowellNicholas A. Powell
Editorial Writer at Houston ChronicleEditorial Writer at Houston Chronicle
Amanda DraneAmanda Drane
Reporter at Houston ChronicleReporter at Houston Chronicle