I started at The Daily Iowan in the spring of 2024 as a second-year cinema student that just wanted to get a job that put a camera in my hands. I had no expectations of what photojournalism, or even photography had to offer, but I knew if there was a job that gave me the opportunity to be a part of the action. It would be at the DI.

I learned quickly just how fast this job moved and did everything I could to keep up with assignments. I was lucky enough to start at the DI during a time with such amazing talent. Attending critiques seeing work from Grace Smith and Ayrton Breckenridge showed me I could do so much more than building mugs and city council meetings. 

I started taking on sports slideshows and the pace got even faster. While I was too much of a rookie to work on “More Than a Moment,” I took any track, tennis, men’s basketball, softball, or baseball assignment I could. 

The DI isn’t all shooting buzzer beaters. I learned a lot about patience and communication. From staking outside in the cold for a photo of an ambulance, to riding along in one, to talking to local business owners, students, and artists, to even photographing the president, I learned that photojournalism operates at many different paces. But really, I learned that I didn’t just want to make well-composed visuals, but that I loved learning about people’s stories and becoming closer to the city I live in.

The DI was never an easy job, but it helped me figure out that putting in work led to some of the greatest feelings of fulfillment that I have experienced in my young professional career. I will never forget the pride I was able to feel on long car rides home from away games in Nebraska, or wrestling duals in Tulsa, or Penn State. The feeling of knowing I had made something that I was proud of made all of the harsh, honest critiques worth it.

One of the best things about working at the DI was knowing that the visuals team all had each other’s back. While I loved the feeling of knowing I was getting better, it felt just as great to know my peers were progressing right alongside me. Especially Emma Calabro and John Charlson, who started at the DI the same semester as me. It has been the greatest pleasure to navigate the challenges of the DI together and to see you both become so skilled.  

The DI has helped me learn so much about myself, my aspirations, and my potential. This job helped me focus my very broad interest and give me a clear idea of how I want to tell stories. I’m thankful for all the leadership and coaching I have had over my two years. I’m thankful for the late nights and the early mornings. And I will always be grateful to the DI for putting a camera in my hands.