About Me

Jill Karnicki is an award-winning visual journalist and editor with more than two decades of experience telling stories that reveal the heart of humanity — one image at a time.

​

As a photo editor at the Houston Chronicle for the past 18 years, she has helped lead a remarkable team of visual journalists through just about everything Texas can deliver: hurricanes and heat waves, elections and celebrations, heartbreak and hope. From natural disasters to the quiet moments in between, Jill thrives on helping photographers do their best work — pushing them to take risks, find truth, and create images that connect deeply with audiences.

​

Before joining the Chronicle, Jill worked as a photo editor at The Washington Post and as the chief photographer for three Los Angeles Times community newspapers, where she covered everything from Little League to the Dodgers. Those early years behind the camera taught her the power of empathy, patience, and humor — skills she carries into every assignment and collaboration today.

​

Outside the newsroom, Jill is a proud dog mom, live music seeker, needlepoint enthusiast, aspiring violinist, tap dancer, and crossword puzzle devotee. Above all, she’s a believer in creativity, kindness, and the simple joy of telling stories that make people feel seen.