Jason Pierce
Visual Journalist
EXPERIENCE
The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento — Staff Photographer
August 2019 - July 2021
Created compelling visual content that captured the essence of news stories across Northern California. Specialized in breaking news, features, and in-depth investigative pieces.
Collaborated closely with editorial staff to conceptualize and execute story ideas, ensuring alignment with the publication's objectives and reader interests.
Built and maintained relationships with a diverse network of sources, including local government officials, community leaders, and everyday citizens, to gather accurate and impactful information.
Provided on-the-ground coverage of significant events, such as wildfires, political rallies, and community protests, often under tight deadlines and challenging conditions.
Contributed to the publication’s online platforms by creating multimedia content, including photo galleries, video reports, and interactive features, to engage a broader audience.
Worked in tandem with writers and editors to ensure cohesive storytelling, combining powerful visuals with strong narratives.
Adhered to strict journalistic ethics and standards, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and integrity in all reporting.
Assisted in the training of new photojournalists and interns, sharing best practices and providing guidance on technical and editorial aspects of the job.
SACTUNES.COM, Sacramento — Editor-in-Chief
April 2018 - PRESENT
Designing and building a digital news site for the Sacramento area with a focus on local music.
SAC CITY EXPRESS, Sacramento — Photo Editor — Editor-in-Chief
January 2017 - June 2019
Supervised and guided a team of writers, photographers, and graphic designers in producing high-quality written and video content for both print and online platforms.
Managed the entire content production process, from brainstorming and assigning topics to editing and final publication, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of all issues.
Established and upheld rigorous editorial standards to maintain the newspaper's reputation for quality journalism, accuracy, and integrity.
Spearheaded initiatives to expand the newspaper's digital footprint, including the development of a user-friendly website and active social media engagement.
Encouraged a collaborative environment, promoting teamwork and open communication among staff members to generate diverse and well-rounded content.
Developed and maintained an editorial calendar to ensure consistent content flow and coverage of important school events and issues.
Mentored junior staff and new members, offering guidance on journalistic practices, writing techniques, and multimedia production.
Organized and led regular editorial meetings to discuss upcoming issues, review past editions, and plan future content strategies.
Established mechanisms for receiving and incorporating feedback from readers, faculty, and staff to continuously improve the quality and relevance of the newspaper.
Guided the newspaper to receive several awards and accolades for outstanding journalism, innovative design, and impactful storytelling.
Skills
Visual Storytelling on a variety of subjects both with photography, multimedia and video
Project management
Final Cut pro
Photoshop and Camera Raw
Lightroom
Social Media
MS Word/Excel
Awards
CNPA 2019 California State Award - 5th Place - Digital News Photo
JACC 2019 NorCal Publication Award - 1st Place - Video Journalism
JACC 2018 NorCal Publication Award - 3nd Place - News Photo
JACC 2018 State Publication Award - 2nd Place - Photo Story/Essay
JACC 2017 NorCal Publication Award - Runner Up - Photo Story/Essay
Education
Sacramento City College, Sacramento
August 2016 - June 2019
Studying visual journalism and multimedia.