Jude Larsen, 2, of Lehi, looks around as he tours a fire truck during National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, at City Center Park in Orem. Police departments across the country held public events on National Night Out to strengthen the bonds between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Well folks, I've spent a year at the Daily Herald!
Besides my work anniversary, August was a relatively normal month. Assignments came and went in the consistency they have the past few months, but things started really picking up these past few days. Most notably, high school and college sports started up. It feels like August is the month where everything seems to happen at once, but that means there's no shortage of things to cover.
This past month I've done some reflecting on my year in Utah (between shooting all those events I just mentioned). It's a pretty fulfilling feeling to spend an entire year in one place. I'm starting to see events I covered last year pop up again, and having that repetition makes me feel like I know this community's "schedule" now. I know what big events are coming up each month, and that gives me a bit of peace of mind. There's fewer surprises (though there's always surprises) and I feel in the groove.
Though, I've also certainly learned that unlike internships, staff jobs are marathons, not sprints. Keeping things fresh is something I often have to challenge myself with while shooting. It's easy to fall into the same-old-same-old, and keeping myself motivated to try new things is vital to my growth. Unlike my past internships, which often only lasted 10 weeks, I have to think about the long haul. In internships, I'd often just totally throw myself into my job and frequently neglect finding a work-personal-life balance. Now I not only have to be a productive photographer at work, but I can't forget to be myself when I'm not working. Though, I think I've done a decent job of finding that balance and not feeling guilty about work when I'm not working. Since moving to Utah I've learned how to ski and mountain bike, and those things have become fun hobbies that have also given me a much deeper appreciation for the outdoors.
The fringe benefit that's perhaps most rewarding from being at the Herald for a year is running into people from past assignments. Almost every time, people remember me. One of my favorite parts of working for a newspaper is getting to cover stories that are important to the community. When community members recognize you and say hey, it makes me feel like people genuinely value what we as journalists do. It's a cliche saying, but working as a photojournalist has allowed me to meet so many people I wouldn't typically meet and truly become part of the community. In the process it has greatly enriched my own life views.
I've meet more remarkable people than I can really recall in the past year, and I sincerely look forward to meeting many more interesting folks and getting to know them through pictures.
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker, Fred Warner, poses for a portrait Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, in BYU's locker room at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Tyler Daniel, 10, of Highland, runs past the starting line along with other kids and their families during the Highland Fling Family Adventure Race on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, at Highland Glen Park in Highland.
Wash Hut owner Vic Oldroyd poses for a portrait with his wife and business partner Joyce Oldroyd on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, at their business in Provo. After 53 years in business, Friday is Wash Hut's last day of operations.
Alan Walker, of American Fork, performs a scene from the story of Ora Chipman during the American Fork History and Heritage Pageant on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, at the American Fork Cemetery.
During his watch party Republican congressional candidate, Christopher Herrod, scratches his head after being shown a live-stream of the celebration at candidate John Curtis' watch party on a cell phone as results come in for Utah's 3rd Congressional District Special Election on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017 at Entrata's headquarters in Lehi.
The Utah Bacon Burger is pictured Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, at Asado Argentinian Grill in Orem.
Gage Bowls talks to his mother on his phone at the Bowls' home Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Spanish Fork. Gage has cerebral palsy resulting from four hours of oxygen deprivation at birth, which left Gage with physical and mental deficiencies. “For me, I just support him,” said his mother Jodi concerning the dog-walking business Gage runs. “Gage does really well, and we have a nice network of people we know.” To see more from this story, check it out here: http://provodh.com/pn63y .
Kruz Harris, 2, of American Fork, looks up as he explores the shore at Tibble Fork Reservoir on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in American Fork Canyon.
Tristyn Morgan, 10, left, and Myah Cobbley, 8, both of Santaquin, hold on as they spin about on a ride during the Utah County Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
Lehi senior quarterback, Cammon Cooper, poses for a portrait Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, at Lehi High School. In Lehi's season opener against Alta on Aug. 18, Cooper set the state record for touchdown passes in a single game with 10 and threw for 599 yards.
A sparse crowd dots the stands during pregame festivities before a game against the Portland State Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Since classes at BYU hadn't begun yet, pregame festivities were especially quiet before BYU took on Portland State.
Austin Ethington, 10, of Provo, rests underneath his sign while waiting to get into the stadium during pregame festivities before a game against the Portland State Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker, Phillip Amone (22), cheers as he and his teammates make their way out onto the field before a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Portland State Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars running back, Squally Canada (22), is taken down by Portland State Vikings linebacker, Kasun Jackett (46), during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Portland State Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Brianna Patterson, 9, right, shades her eyes as she looks out onto the field while standing next to her cousin, Camilla Patterson, 9, both of Orem, during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Portland State Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars tight end, Matt Bushman (89), pulls in a deep pass while guarded by Portland State Vikings cornerback, Donovan Olumba (29), during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Portland State Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.