A Closer Look

When you think of a journalist, do you see a reporter with a pen and paper? Writing is one way to tell a story. But some stories are told without words.

Photojournalists are reporters too. They use a camera to capture a story in photos. You can see their work in the pictures that appear with an article. Their photos show readers the people and places being described. Photojournalists also create photo essays. Photo essays tell a story with few or no words.

Meet Alice Aedy

Alice Aedy is a photojournalist and filmmaker. She’s based in London, England. Aedy reports on stories about social justice and human rights. She also covers environmental issues. Aedy told TIME for Kids that she’s “passionate about climate change” because of how it affects people’s lives.

Photojournalism helps people understand current events. Photojournalists aren’t just photographers. They’re storytellers. They need to be on the scene and talk to people about what’s going on. Aedy has traveled the world to do her reporting. She spends as much time as she can in the country where a story is taking place. “I want my photos to build empathy,” she says, “and make people care.”

A Critical Eye

Aedy says that photography should be viewed “with a critical × critical PABLO BENITEZ LOPE/EYEEM—GETTY IMAGES using careful judgment; looking for faults (adjective) As a tennis player, Josh looked at other players with a critical eye. eye.” Viewers should ask themselves questions like, “When, where, and why was it taken?” and “Was the photo taken with the permission of its subjects?”

It’s also important for viewers to think about how a photograph makes them feel. “We’re bombarded with images every single day,” Aedy says. “So my hope is that whatever you’re looking at, you just truly engage × engage ARIEL SKELLEY—GETTY IMAGES to get involved with; to pay attention to (verb) Even though Martha is too young to vote, she is engaged in politics. with it.”