Call for Spring Contributors on Assignment

Share your expertise and love of adventure and nature with a rapidly growing network of outdoor enthusiasts and display your work on the fastest growing resource for outdoor recreation in the U.S. Apply here to become an Outdoor Project Contributor on Assignment and get paid to spend time outside doing what you love.

Outdoor Project is seeking local talented outdoor photographers and writers along the East Coast and in the U.S. South.

We are currently looking to hire outdoor photographers/writers to highlight human-powered spring and summer outdoor adventures on the Outdoor Project platform. We are looking to fill a small number of positions on contract, what we call Contributors on Assignment (CoA), to cover outdoor recreation in the following regions:

New England states
New York
Mid-Atlantic states
Southeastern states
Florida

Outdoor Project content is developed in a hybrid crowd-sourced/journalistic fashion. Before publishing, Outdoor Project curates all content in order to provide the most thorough, reliable, safe, and inspiring information.

SCOPE OF WORK

- Plan, photograph, write and have published a set of regional spring/summer adventures (roughly 15-30 per CoA) in the states listed above. Scope of work will focus on some combination of the following activity types:

Hiking + Backpacking
Camping + Campgrounds
Swimming Holes+ Hot Springs
Beaches + Ocean Shore
Special Destinations (waterfalls, lighthouses, historic points of interest, geologic wonders, etc.)
State Parks, National Parks, Preserves + Wilderness Areas
Mountaineering
Mountain Biking
Flatwater Paddling (lakes, ocean, and inland waterways) + Whitewater Paddling (rivers)
Unique Outdoor-themed Lodging (yurts, rustic cabins, fire lookout towers, etc.)

- Based on Contributor availability, workflow, efficiency, and optimal timing for photographing locations, the contract should take 1-3 months to complete, with the potential for additional contracts extending into summer and fall. Each adventure submission should include 8-25 photos, a minimum 300 word description, location data (GPS required for backcountry, cross-country, offtrail navigation only), and misc. highlight information (i.e., trail length, trailhead elevation, etc.).

- Contributors will work with Outdoor Project Content Editors to learn the Contributor process and submit adventures per Outdoor Project standards.

- Adventure quantity will be discussed during hiring based on availability, quality, and quantity of the applications.

-A minimum of two adventures must be submitted within the first three weeks of the contract start date.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT

- Excellent outdoor photography skills. See examples of work below. Examples of photography from a portfolio matching the style on the site will be reviewed with the application. Candidates must own and be proficient in the use of DSLRs and/or high-end mirrorless cameras. Smart phones and POV cameras may not be the primary camera used for the assignment and are permitted for only certain activity types.

- Strong writing skills. Each adventure submission must include a 300-word minimum write-up in the style of a guidebook with information on why a typical outdoor enthusiast would want to visit the area and including information about unique geography, seasonal and weather considerations, flora and fauna and specific advice on gear. Writing samples will be reviewed with the application.

- The ability to transport yourself to the adventures. Transportation expenses related to getting to/from are included in the compensation amounts below.

- It is your responsibility to own/acquire all of the requisite equipment to complete the scope of work, including outdoor gear/equipment needed, clothing, cameras and photo editing software, and GPS (if needed).

COMPENSATION

- Earn between $80-$130 per finished/published adventure: the more effort involved in the field, the greater the pay (averages out to roughly $100/adventure).

ADVENTURE EXAMPLES

Hiking
Backpacking
Camping + Campgrounds
Special Destination
State Park
Beach/Shore
Swimming Hole
Mountain Biking
Mountaineering
Flatwater Paddle
Whitewater Paddle
See outdoorproject.com for additional examples, including other activity types.

ABOUT OUTDOOR PROJECT

Outdoor Project is an online resource and community platform that inspires, facilitates and promotes outdoor experiences. Launched in May, 2013, Outdoor Project has taken the traditional outdoor guidebook model (think 100 hikes in the Wasatch) and moved it into an online multi-media digital and mobile optimized format with a keen eye toward design, and we provide all the essential planning information actually needed to get outside. With a clean, filterable interface, inspirational photography and video, completely custom maps, detailed information, trustworthy write-ups, and dynamic social features, Outdoor Project is the most comprehensive outdoor resource available. At this point Outdoor Project hosts over 4,500 adventures published online, and we are adding more every day. Hiking, mountaineering, camping, skiing, swimming holes, mountain biking, paddling, snowshoeing, hot springs… Outdoor Project covers 17 different adventure types. With adventures from family-friendly outings to the more skill-based and experience-oriented adventure objectives, there is something for everyone. Outdoor Project's mission is to create the most intuitive, comprehensive and inspiring outdoor adventure resource ever, and in turn to help people connect on a deeper level with nature and to steward, conserve and help protect our recreational lands.

APPLICATION

Positions are filling fast. Apply by end of day April 16 for our initial spring season hiring round via our website application page here. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for future hiring rounds.