Pictures of the Year- a whole year at the Dallas Morning News

Dear Editors, colleagues and friends,

I’ve spent a whole year here as a staff photographer at the Dallas Morning News in Dallas, TX. Looking back at last year I’ve felt myself grow. It’s given me the moment to pause, reflect and heal. I’m really grateful for this season of life and what I’ve learned in it. Recently, I’ve been able to focus more on some goals I have for myself ahead and been able to dream again.

As 2023 approaches, I am reminded by the words said by Kent Nishimura during a phone call we shared in October: “Opportunities are not given, opportunities are made. Each day is an opportunity to push yourself beyond what you did yesterday.” and with those words, I’ll push forward...

Here’s my top images from the last year, I hope you’ll enjoy.

Checking in- authentically as Becca

What am I learning?

A great question posed…

Here’s some great words I’ve heard from people I admire and thoughts I’ve had over the last few months.

  1. Managing a team of diverse people, with different styles of shooting and with different backgrounds isn’t easy. As a visual leader in the newsroom it’s about finding what works for the team in its entirety while working to unify the team players. A leader should find the strengths of individuals on the team, challenging them with new assignments, opportunities, and ways to think about their work. When the paper writes the “its hot, we’re short on lifeguards” story every summer for 35 years, how do you keep your senior staff member engaged? The visual editors role is unique in it has to find a balance with every other team in the newsroom and also find a balance within its staff of photographers. It’s an incredibly challenging role and not everyone is cut out to do it. The successful leaders know how to balance both.

  2. Don’t be the peace keeper, be the peace maker. People talk, they’re always going to talk and you can perpetuate the talk or you can nip it at the source. Know when to hold your tongue, know when to speak up about an issue. When you’ve got two sides of the same team talking to you about a dividing issue, empathize and challenge the thought process. Don’t cheer for one half of the team, but for the whole team.

  3. Keep your head down and your feet moving. Inevitably you and your team will have a lot to do- that is the nature of the industry. Get your head out of the clouds of what’s the next chapter and focus on what you’re doing right now. What areas do you want to grow in right now? What things can you change right now to be better? Make the most of the present so that you can achieve those long term dreams you’ve got, you’ve still got to do the work now to get there.

  4. Stop caring about what others think, show up authentically as yourself. Your creative and visual voice is unique and should shine through in your work. People know a lot and will give you unsolicited advice about what to do or direction of how they want you to shoot the photo. That doesn’t mean it’s always good advice or direction. Absorb what is applicable and keep moving. Listen to your gut on big decisions.

Fall/ Winter 2021 Overview

Images from my Fall Internship with the Denver Post and the beginning of my new job with the Dallas Morning News

Achieving Dreams- a note of gratitude from my time at the Denver Post

Dear Denver Post, more specifically Dear Photo Staff (Pat, Katie, Aaron, Helen, Andy, Hyoung and RJ).

Four years ago when I came to Denver for the first time to attend the Image Deconstructed workshop with my fellow peers, I was hooked. I saw Helen Richardson’s work and I knew that it would be a dream to work at the Denver Post one day. After years of sending you my work, keeping in touch and having conversations that time arrived, where I finally was given a shot to work for you. “What does your light say?” is something I will remember every time I pick up a camera. Covering the Avalanche, the Broncos, the Rockies, the Nuggets and Friday Night Lights has made me fall in love again with how I got into photography- through sports. You’ve challenged me to reflect and dig deeper, filling my mind with images from Mike Brodie’s photo book “A period of Juvenile Prosperity” and words from “Twenty Love Poems and a song of despair” by Pablo Neruda. Maybe one day I’ll produce a photo book of my own. You’ve encouraged me and supported me during a huge transitional period in my life- through many fears and anxieties. The tears, the sit down couch discussions, the belief in my path- You’ve shown that you truly care about me and my growth.

I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity and to grow here at this pivotal time in my life, I hope that one day I will return to Denver. While being here has been a dream and I’ll keep dreaming as life takes me down the river of dreams.

Becca

A personal essay below of where I was and what I saw during my time in Colorado and how this transitional period of life made me feel.

Where the beginning never meets the end

A place among the trees

A place, hidden in the breeze

A place where we can be free

A place for you and me.

railroad ties

criss-cross

tall grass

wet socks


cold air fills the night.

Our eyes still look so bright.

Racing down familiar roads,

we’ll embrace, cherish one another, and grow old.

Take me to this place with thee

where forever I’ll feel free.

afternoon haze

a farewell poem to Kansas City

Each day grows longer overflowing and spilling into the next.

There is no beginning and there is no end, just infinite possibilities.

Each day a chance for rebirth.

The heat beats on my mind and pests bite at my heals

“Life moves forward, keep it forward”

so I am told.

I am running

faster and faster

into the unknown of those infinite possibilities,

and there is no time left and no time to rest,

only time forward.

I don’t hold onto it, I let it carry me

along the river of dreams.

Kansas City

A collection of images from my first 6 weeks at the Kansas City Star.

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I spent Memorial Day feeling very grateful while on and off assignment for the Kansas City Star. Heading to Leavenworth National Cemetery in Kansas while off assignment, made Memorial Day mean something more as I walked rows and read names. I’m grateful for my friends and family who have served and for people like Benjamin Lahann, in this image on the bottom left, who remembers his great grandfather Bill Moyer while kneeling at his brick at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. Lahann is four weeks away from attending the United States Military Academy in Westpoint, New York.

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Mystery author, Elizabeth Bunce of Lenexa is finding acclaim for “Premeditated Myrtle,” the first book in her new series. This spring she won the 2021 Edgar Award for best juvenile mystery.

My first assignment for the Kansas City star.

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My family had gotten COVID from me working in January. We were lucky to not have any side effects. When I met Venus I was reminded that others weren’t so lucky.

Venus Griswold, wife of Michael Griswold, stands at the family home, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. The sign behind her hangs in her dining room celebrating their 10th year anniversary they spent together while he was in the hospital in March due to effects from COVID-19 before passing in May. “We all go through things and it’s all for a purpose and I’m just trying to understand what this particular purpose is” she shares. She wears the couple’s wedding bands on her fingers

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Officers discuss and make calls after a shooting on 50th and Vista, Friday, June 25, 2021 in Kansas City, Kan.

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Mike and Angelina French play their harmonicas together during a harmonica workshop as part of the Make Music Kansas City event on Monday at Lemonade Park in Kansas City. Over 70 free musical events were held across the city as Kansas City made its’ debut on Make Music Day, a world-wide celebration of music happening in over 1,000 cities in 120 countries.

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Sunset June 6 and 15, 2021, at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City.

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Maxeana, 8, relaxes in Smithville Lake at Little Platte Beach, Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

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Kansas City loses to Washington Spirit, 1-2, Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kan.

The Chicago Red Stars celebrate after scoring a goal on Kansas City, Wednesday, May 26, 2021 in Kansas City, Kan. Chicago won 2-0.

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Kansas City Tenants gather at a rally outside the Gabriel Tower Apartments, Saturday, June 26, 2021 in Kansas City. Kansas City tenants and people gathered to listen to speakers and hear the People’s Housing Trust Fund proposal.

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An ATF officer makes a phone call while looking down in the basement at the remains of a man after an explosion that destroyed part of a duplex, Monday, June 28, 2021, on the 7500 block of Englewood Ave. in Raytown, Mo. Family and neighbors watched nearby as Police searched through the rubble the next day. It was declared that the explosion was caused by making illegal fireworks in the home. Of the family of four that lived there, a woman and child were injured and a man died.

Fall(ing)

After an amazing summer in Kodiak, Alaska documenting surfing, I’ve been thinking a lot of the future.

Every day there was so full. Whether I was hiking along, hanging out with the surfers, or meeting new people around town, I always found myself busy. I was scared to be so far away from everyone I knew and everything I had ever known, but I knew that I needed to make the journey. I was experiencing so much joy, love, and self-realization there. I felt like I grew not only as a photographer but a human as well in the 11 weeks I was there more than I had since the previous summer. I was living a life so fast and so full I didn’t even have time to process it. In a sense, I haven’t truly still processed everything. I think that I will unpack more though as I experience more.

One thing I know for certain since going is that the mountains and ocean will continue to play an important role in my life as I discover who I am. I’m an ever-changing person. Who I was in Alaska for that splice of time is how those there will remember me and how I will remember them. I think I saw things through rose-colored glasses while I was there. The whole process of going somewhere scary and unknown to figure out who you are has a romantic notion to it. I think I truly fell in love with myself there. I appreciated how much I dedicate myself to my work, my spirit to seek freedom and adventure, and how much I pour my love and kindness into others. I achieved self-realization.

Going forward, I’m not sure what the future will bring, but I now have a small grip on who I am at least. I still want to continue living very freely and go where the wind calls me. So living in a minivan is great for that at the moment. While I seek adventures continuing, I hope that my adventures will help others. I feel called to help people grow and achieve self-realization in their lives too. I feel called to do more for the betterment of the world.

Self portraits continued

This week has been one of more reflection and beautiful discovery. I have a direction for this self portrait project. Things got weird. This project is all about self exploration and healing.

I chose tin foil because it reflects its surroundings. We’re influenced by the environment we are in. In my adolescent years I was much like a wallflower. I feel as though they didn’t see me for who I was. I am wrong though-knowing that the percepti…

I chose tin foil because it reflects its surroundings. We’re influenced by the environment we are in. In my adolescent years I was much like a wallflower. I feel as though they didn’t see me for who I was. I am wrong though-knowing that the perception I have of myself is actually distorted. It does not sit well in my gut. I wish this feeling was wrong, knowing if it wasn’t they would like me. I still feel uncomfortable running into people from my past. The reality they see is different than the one I see of me. I want to show you my reality.

The sun provides energy for all. I feel it glisten on my bare skin as I wash myself in the water of the earth. The rays give nutrients to the foods I eat. I recognize that all that passes through the seal of my lips I am welcoming to become a part o…

The sun provides energy for all. I feel it glisten on my bare skin as I wash myself in the water of the earth. The rays give nutrients to the foods I eat. I recognize that all that passes through the seal of my lips I am welcoming to become a part of me. The grass and warmth of earth remind me that I am here, alive. I return to my most natural state of being when I practice these rituals.

Reflection

I’ve been thinking a lot during this quarantine about the kinda of images I want to make during this time. Moving home and now being here for over a month, not much has changed physically. Yeah people are outside a lot at the local park next to my house and there are empty school parking lots as if students are on summer break. I smirk as I remember hearing college students roar “Spring break forever” at a bar in Muncie.

I always see images around town, but I never take them. I always think “oh the lighting is great”, but then I never make an image. I’m hoping that during this time, I’ll just really dive back into photography, and my feelings and emotions. I’ve found myself a little detached from who I once was in the last year or so. I want to feel something again.

I’ve thought about doing some fine art stuff. So here’s my first attempt… a self portrait. Yeah It’s cliché, maybe. But its got me thinking on doing a series of how I want people to see me- how I want the world to see me. More images and thoughts to come.

In my childhood room at my parents house

In my childhood room at my parents house

the light from the window on the bottom of the dresser.

the light from the window on the bottom of the dresser.

Spring reflection

Update on: “I can live in peace”

In the summer of 2018 I met Maria, an immigrant from Mexico, who was living in Florida and raising 3 kids. Since then I visited in December of 2019. Their lives have changed since our first encounter, but her hardships remain the same. Spending a week with them reminded me why I wanted to be a photo journalist and why it’s important to keep documenting people’s lives. I hope that once Maria becomes a legal U.S. citizen that this piece will be finished and then published with their real names in the story. In the mean time I hope to continue updating their story.

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"My mom didn't want to raise me because I was a black sheep” shares Maria. At 13-years old she decided to leave Mexico City in fear of being sex trafficked.

After crossing the U.S. boarder illegally, Maria and her friend who journeyed together stayed with family in Florida. Through the years Maria has worked as a caterer, construction worker and a commercial cleaner. In times where she was desperate for money, she would go out to the nightclubs, flirt with men and eventually go home with them and sell her body. Through this form of work, Maria met several men, 3 of whom became the fathers of her three children: Diego, 14, Camila, 11, and Nina, 9. Nina’s father has caused the most destruction to the children and Maria. After meeting Nina’s father, Maria became a victim of domestic violence.

"When I was younger with babies I was afraid, [but now] I can live in peace" states Maria in regards to the current situation she and her children live in.

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Photo Column for JOUR 437: Longform Story Telling with Martin Smith-Roden

My decision for choosing to turn this series black and white is to unify the images.

Description: As people age, some things remain the same yet others change. This photo essay illustrates changes seen as people pass through the years of their lives.

Water leaves the face of Evelyn Albaugh, 13, as she breathes her first breath as a new christian at First Christian Church in Champaign, IL, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Lead Pastor Danny Schaffner Jr. baptized her in the middle of the auditorium of the c…

Water leaves the face of Evelyn Albaugh, 13, as she breathes her first breath as a new christian at First Christian Church in Champaign, IL, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Lead Pastor Danny Schaffner Jr. baptized her in the middle of the auditorium of the church in a trough filled with water. Albaugh decided to get baptized after “waiting for a special moment to happen.”

Today, baptism is symbolic in Christian faith as it is an outward confession of an inner change. As people transform into christians they are asked to make this declaration when they feel it is time to do so. In a church with three services every Sunday, dozens of parishioners are baptized in a trough that is spotlighted in the middle of the sanctuary. On stage a church band plays and projector screens show live footage of people being dipped in water. As new christians ascend from the water, they hear clapping and cheering from fellow church members. Wet hugs and kisses are exchanged with family members and loved ones.

10 single candles are lit to illuminate the birthday cake of 13 year-old William Slezak, Friday, March 6, 2020 at the family home in Mahomet, IL.

10 single candles are lit to illuminate the birthday cake of 13 year-old William Slezak, Friday, March 6, 2020 at the family home in Mahomet, IL.

Every year as an individual grows older, around the world, birthdays are celebrated in different ways. In the United States some do it with cake, others with presents, regardless usually birthdays are celebrated with the friends and family that matter most to us. Turning another year older doesn't just represent another year we've been on this earth, it represents the journey wkke are on. It celebrates the journey behind and gives hope for the journey ahead. A birthday means a person has made another revolution around the sun and made it through several seasons just like the seasons seen in nature. The summer, fall, winter and spring in nature reflect the changes seen in life.

In the family kitchen, Paul and Karen Slezak scroll through social media on their phones, Monday, March 2, 2020 in Mahomet, IL.

In the family kitchen, Paul and Karen Slezak scroll through social media on their phones, Monday, March 2, 2020 in Mahomet, IL.

As technology changes so does society. An increase in adults and children on their phone has resulted in less time with those around us and an increase with those away from us. The feelings once shared by people might change for better or worse. We grow distant from those near while being consistently consumed by the things pushed out in the world around us. Grand gestures aren't made and old common societal practices are seen as romantic now. Technology is a way to communicate with others, but also is a way to grow apart from others.

The 15 year-old family dog, Jade, now grey and deaf is held by the youngest member of the Crull family, Lexi, 8, Wednesday, March, 4, 2020 at their home in Mahomet, IL.

The 15 year-old family dog, Jade, now grey and deaf is held by the youngest member of the Crull family, Lexi, 8, Wednesday, March, 4, 2020 at their home in Mahomet, IL.

As people enter the Crull Family house they are greeted with the friendly smile and wagging tail. As many families across America have a man's best friend, this house is no different.Near the end of her life, Jade has had a long life giving happiness to even their oldest child, now 24 years-old. At night many people have their furry friend sleep next to them as a companion. Their dog or cat is there for them when they get home. Pets make people fee less alone and give people a sense of responsibility. Just like humans, animals have a lifecycle too, reminding us how we are truly one with nature. 

A car leaves behind the town of Mahomet, IL, lurching forward past former cornfields, the sunsets in the car mirror, Saturday, March 7, 2020.

A car leaves behind the town of Mahomet, IL, lurching forward past former cornfields, the sunsets in the car mirror, Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Surrounded by cornfields in a small Mid-west town with a population of 8,500, kids graduate with the same 250 kids they’ve known form 12 years. It’s a community where members come together in mourning as death reaps the lives of teenagers. It's a town where parents and grandparents went to high school and decided to come back to when it was time to raise a family. The road ahead is unknown, while the town behind is known. People leave the comfort of their homes, of what is safe, to find new opportunities and have new experiences. The future is ahead.

In January I got hired as a student photographer to work for the Marketing and Communications team at Ball State University. It was great to be able to work alongside the full-time University Photographers Bobby Ellis, Samantha Strahan and Don Roggers. It was the opportunity to have some coaching, shoot daily assignments and a lot of sports. I really enjoyed my time on the team and am sad to have left to return home for the remainder of the semester due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Here are some of my favorite Sports images:

Ball State gymnast, Arden Hudson, does a routine on the uneven parallel bars, Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind. Hudson placed fourth in the event.

Ball State gymnast, Arden Hudson, does a routine on the uneven parallel bars, Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind. Hudson placed fourth in the event.

Ball State freshman Sydney Freeman grabs the ball after Junior Oslynn Brown loses possession Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind.

Ball State freshman Sydney Freeman grabs the ball after Junior Oslynn Brown loses possession Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind.

Ball State University freshman Perrish SImmons screams after winning a point against J. Alvarez from Wright State University during a singles match, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 at the Northwest YMCA in Muncie, Ind.

Ball State University freshman Perrish SImmons screams after winning a point against J. Alvarez from Wright State University during a singles match, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 at the Northwest YMCA in Muncie, Ind.

Freshman Charity Griffith competes in the long jump event against a fellow Ball State University athlete, Michelle Lehmann, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, at a home track meet in Muncie Ind. Griffith won first with her jump of 5.22 m.

Freshman Charity Griffith competes in the long jump event against a fellow Ball State University athlete, Michelle Lehmann, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, at a home track meet in Muncie Ind. Griffith won first with her jump of 5.22 m.

 

In addition to shooting sports, there were some other assignments to cover events around campus. One of my favorites was Latinxpalooza. This event was hosted by the Latinx Student Union.

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Veronica Morales and Joanna Hernandez in their dressing room before performing at Latinxpalooza, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 in the student center at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

Veronica Morales and Joanna Hernandez in their dressing room before performing at Latinxpalooza, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 in the student center at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

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Chasing LIGHT

The craziest things happens when you chase light. I was looking to complete a class assignment driving out of town towards the sunset just looking for a spot to shoot the next day. I saw this truck pulled over with their hazard lights on. After it got dark I was heading back home and I saw them still pulled over. I asked them if they needed help. All of a sudden a firetruck, police car, several school busses and a line of cars drove by. We’re in the middle of the country. The person pulled over said they were okay and going to hop in the line of cars because Cowan High School’s girl’s volleyball team had just won semi-finals.

I followed in the line of cars and speed towards the school. I called my editor and let him know that I was responding to this breaking news/sports event.

Here’s what I made:

April: "You can't always get what you want"

April 27":

In an innocent and unsure tone, my sweet brother looked at me and said “I don’t know what I’m doing.” He laughed his nervous and awkward laugh and walked towards the door. I hear the chime of the doorbell and think back to my first Prom. None of us know what we are doing, but I think that is the point.

Uncertainty

Uncertainty

Smiles

Smiles

High School embrace

High School embrace

Pineapple socks

Pineapple socks

April 26th:

As U.S. President Donald Trump waves and says his goodbyes to the American people sitting in the Lucas Oil Stadium, the ever-popular Rolling Stone’s song, “ You can’t always get what you want” plays in the background. The room roars with applause and cheering as young and old stand in support of their leader. The lyrics "But if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need” play as the public figure exists the stage at the National Riffle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) Leadership Forum.

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Shooting the MAC

Ball State Men’s Basketball faced Bowling Green in the MAC at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Thursday, March 14, 2019. The team lost the game 86-99 which concluded their season with a 16-17 record. Photos shot for the Ball State Daily News and Ball State College of Communications, Information and Media

J 335 Final Portfolio

Below I’ve attached the work I produced throughout the semester in Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden’s Journalism 335 class: Assignment Photojournalism. I received a 90% on the final portfolio which was compiled of my best images I produced during each assignment. The judges of my portfolio were AJ Mast, Alan Petersime (both freelance photographers from Indianapolis) and our Professor Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden.

Comments about the overall portfolio were positive. As they walked through each photo they commented some toning and cropping corrections to each photo.