I recently attended the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar. I always thought that I might become a photojournalist after I finished my law enforcement career, but as years passed the newspaper industry seemed to be dwindling and the photojournalists I knew had either been let go due to their company down sizing the staff or they moved on because they saw the writing on the wall.
After about 10 months into retirement I felt myself becoming a bit antsy. I felt rested, for the most part, and started thinking about what a second career might look like. I still have some friends left in the photojournalism industry. They continue to work hard at their papers because they love what they do so much, and they have a passion for storytelling.
One of those people is my friend, Octavio Jones, staff photographer for the Tampa Bay Times. I sent him a message and noted that the paper seemed to be using freelance photojournalists more these days and inquired about the availability of becoming a freelancer. We discussed the idea of freelancing, as well as, the budgets that some of the major news organizations have at their disposal, and then he gave me some homework. A bit of research and reading options in terms of preparing myself for storytelling.
Octavio Jones checking his email while waiting on the MARTA for a trip to down town Atlanta.
During the course of my law enforcement career I had picked up a camera and began making photos as a means to relieve stress, and then that passion bloomed into a small side business photographing weddings, senior portraits, etc… I put the camera down for a while and after retiring started thinking about my future. I remembered my love for both creating a photograph and then also seeing the impact a single photograph can make in life. In the past, my camera had allowed me access to tell stories in birth, death, politics, and everything in between. It created a means for people to remember a moment in time. I remembered how that made me feel and that’s when I decided to pick the camera up once again.
One of Octavio’s suggestions was to attend the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar. The best in the industry teach and mentor during a weekend seminar in Atlanta every year. I looked up the information and bought tickets, booked my flight and hotel , and then asked Octavio if he would be joining me. He checked his calendar, requested days off, and was, in fact, able to travel with me to Atlanta for the seminar.
Jessica Koscielniak gives a presentation on a documentary she and her team created in Texas.
We landed in Atlanta, took an Uber to the hotel, settled in, grabbed some lunch, and then headed to down town Atlanta via the MARTA for some street photography. We had a great time walking the streets of Atlanta, using Uber and then eventually the MARTA back to the hotel. The weekend was a lot of fun and I learned a lot from a handful of motivated and passionate photojournalists.
I’m no guru when it comes to photography, but the process of creating a photograph and telling a story inspires me to be better than I was yesterday. The weekend left me inspired, and I returned home to survey what gear I had left after selling a great deal of it, and I created a game plan for the future. I purchased a subscription to Lightroom, a digital dark room, and a subscription for this platform, Squarespace, and now here I am working on creating. My plan for 2020 is to become a better writer and photographer, and I have plans to launch a podcast as well.
Will I become a photojournalist? I will in my own way. If there is something you want to do in life, write it down on a piece of paper, create small goals to get you there, and then cross each one off as you accomplish them. A little formal training can go along way to inspire a craft, but nothing can happen without action. I hope you will tag along with me as I document my community and adventures here on this platform. Make it your Absolute Intent to be better today than you were yesterday. I hope you all have a blessed week. Peace.