If you worked at the Columbia Missourian, a local daily paper in Columbia, Mo., anywhere from fall 2014 to spring 2017 then you've probably met me. And if even three people read this then that's still more website views than I've had in the past year.
I started as a staff photographer and quickly worked my way to Assistant Director of Photography. I post this in my final days of the best job I've ever had (no matter how much I might have complained).
As a photographer I looked at photo editors wondering how anybody could do that job. I enjoyed being in the field too much to give it up despite my social anxiety. I didn't realize that by taking the photo editing class that I was making one of the most important and best decisions of my educational and professional career. I discovered my love for editing, coaching students and helping to manage a daily paper.
As a photojournalism major I've always had a bias towards photography. It wasn't until my last few years at Mizzou that I would understand the importance of video. At first I thought it was too time consuming and I was too impatient to dedicate much to it. But after my first video class it began to grow on me and soon enough it became my passion.
My time at the Missourian has come to an end and the best way to recognize the past three years I've spent working here is to compile a list of my favorite videos I've had the privilege of helping with. I will always maintain a love for shooting and intend to continue with it in any career path I pursue, but editing students' work was the highlight of my time.
Although I am excited for my future I am also terrified. The Missourian started as a terrifying leap off a cliff and has transformed into my safe home from the world. How did that happen?
P.S. Brian Kratzer if you are reading this I'm still coming back for your job.
For the sake of my sanity I cannot post all of the great photography I have helped to publish, I am only posting videos I helped produce. Here's to all of the great journalists I've worked with at Mizzou and to all you will accomplish!
~sappy post over~