I have been working with Student Publications for a little over a year now and it seems like time has flown by so fast. I still remember how it felt when I first joined the staff at The Lion’s Roar as a photographer; it seems like it was only a few days ago that I applied. I had never had a job in journalism and I was both scared and excited of the possibilities. I was nervous and shy but anxious to impress everyone there in whatever way I could. I have worked and grown under the tutelage of some amazing people and now I am the new Photography Editor for The Lion’s Roar newspaper and Le Souvenir yearbook. To have this position is a great honor, and I know it comes with much responsibility. I will try to the best of my abilities to uphold the quality of work as those who held this position before me. I have a lot to live up to and I hope that my experiences will prove me capable.

It’s such a blessing and invaluable gift to take on the mantle of Photo Editor. I owe a lot to Rande Robinson, who served as Photo Editor before me. He took me under his wing and taught me many of the skills that I will need now to perform my job to its fullest potential. I also learned a lot from watching Ally O’Keefe and Chelsea Broughton, who also served as photo editors in my time on staff.

I am a senior visual art major with a double concentration in graphic design and, you guessed it, photography. It’s a really great sensation to be able to take something that you love to do and to turn it into a job. I actually started off with a concentration in new media and animation, but after taking a digital photography class with Bethany Souza as an elective, I was hooked and decided to change my concentration. I thought that animation would be a lucrative industry to get a job in, but I chose to do something I enjoyed more, even if it meant I would make less money. Happiness should always come first. Not long after that, I applied to work with Student Publications.

I love my job and all of the wonderful people that I work with. If I didn’t, then honestly I probably wouldn’t have worked hard enough to be qualified for an editor’s position. I also love that my job allows me to immediately apply what I learn in the classroom to a real world setting. As an art major, it helps me practice and master skills much faster than through class assignments alone. I get to utilize both my photography and graphic design knowledge to help with laying out spreads for both The Lion’s Roar newspaper and the Le Souvenir yearbook. I have also learned a large number of skills in my time as a staff reporter that range from social communication skills to photography tidbits that are invaluable and simply can’t be taught or learned in a classroom setting.

One thing that I’ve been enjoying and want to grow more proficient in is sports photography. Trying to capture that golden moment and freeze it. Containing all of the emotion, energy and effort in one frame is something that amazes me. I was able to go and watch our school compete in multiple track and field events throughout my time on staff. I felt empowered and important to be able to walk around on the field with the athletes. While everyone else had to watch from the stands, I was able to get up close and personal. Being on the ground level just a few feet away from the athletes amplifies the intensity to such a high level.  I’m eager to get more involved during the fall sports season.

Another thing I love is that I get my work published on a large scale. How many college photographers can say that? To see my work and the work of my peers being published weekly is an indescribable feeling. Most young artists only dream of that kind of exposure.

Now I know that some people will say photojournalism isn’t a real form of art. I’ve heard claims that it’s rigid and unexpressive and it isn’t traditional photography. Well I’ve seen and studied plenty of photojournalism that is indeed art. Henri Cartier-Bresson, Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine are all examples of famous photojournalists whose work is labeled as art. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? We aren’t running sleazy paparazzi photos; we are taking moments and immortalizing them in print. We are providing a social commentary specific to our generation and to our region. That is, without a doubt, an art.