The Los Angeles Times has integrate its print and web picture desks and video operations into a new visual journalism department.

The move is the next phase in the Times’ alignment of its web and print operations, which will see mergers across the continuous news desk and main metro news desk this month.

The new department will be headed by Colin Crawford, who has been promoted to deputy managing editor for photography.

“Combining these three departments under the umbrella of visual journalism will improve our ability to present multimedia storytelling in an even more engaging way, and take greater advantage of our outstanding photo staff,” editor Ross Stanton said in a memo to staff.