Buffalo freshman left fielder Jordan Zrust steals a home run in the third inning. “I was going to get the ball, no matter what,” Zrust said. Buffalo defeated Woodbury 3-1 in the Minnesota State High School softball tournament semifinals on Thursday, June 9, 2016, in North Mankato, MN.
A month ago this Monday, I began work at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, Minnesota. So much has been packed into these past four weeks - in a good way. I've genuinely learned a lot since beginning this internship, and I'm excited to see how much more I can fit into the last six weeks.
Moving to Minneapolis has been the biggest transition I've had in my life so far. Not because I went to live in an unfamiliar city, or work a new job, but because this internship marks the jumping off point for the rest of my life. After this, I'm not going back to school. It's time to truly transition into the "real world". I feel confident, though. I'm so happy for the times I had at Ohio University (so much could be said for that in of it self - I could go on forever) and the teachings I received there from the faculty. Though post-college life is a crap shoot (for photojournalism, especially), I've learned to embrace that unknown, and continue to push forward in what makes me happiest.
With that heavily-abridged moment of reflection about college out there, I'm very much enjoying myself at the Star Tribune. As I prefer, I (and my fellow photo/video intern, Tim Nwachukwu) were thrown right into the mix of assignments at the newspaper from day one. I'm given a hefty, yet healthy load of assignments to keep me out and photographing a variety of topics. At first, prep sports were the flavor of the week, considering high school baseball, softball, track & field, and lacrosse were all coming to season's end almost simultaneously. Following the first two weeks, sports became more spare and I had more news/features assignments during my shifts. I've generally worked in still photographs, but I've done a bit of video here and there when somebody needs an extra hand. Now, between general assignments, I'm working on a large-scale feature for the food section (dubbed the "Taste 50") which has me working heavily in portraiture, street-scene features and food photo shoots (more on that once it runs later this month).
The staff has been wonderful to be around. Aside from always being open to look over work, sharing tips and tricks of the trade, and creating powerful work to aspire to, they have included me in several social outings. Whether it be taking me to the best watering holes in town, or rock climbing for the first time (and second, and third), I've felt right at home both at work and in Minneapolis - which is truly a treat.
I'd say it's been a solid first month. I look forward to squeezing as much as I can out of the remainder of my time in Minneapolis.
Joe T. Therres, left, shows off his dance moves during a dance party put on by Our Dance Place at Banquets of Minnesota in Fridley, MN, on Monday, June 20, 2016. Our Dance Place is a club for developmentally disabled persons and people with disabilities that offers a safe environment to socialize.
Brady Anderson, left, and Stephanie Hart slow dance together to a song. "I just asked her out today," said Anderson. "She flirts with me," he also teased.
Queen Obasi holds up a sign and offers snacks to picketers as they pass by in front of United Hospital in St. Paul on Sunday, June 19, 2016. Allina Health nurses began a week-long strike at several hospitals in the Twin Cities area starting at 7 a.m. on Sunday in light of a contract dispute with Allina Health.
Picketers greet a group of nurses with open arms as they exit United Hospital at 7 a.m. (See also the video I contributed to for this story: http://www.startribune.com/allina-nurses-strike-starts-at-twin-cities-hospitals/383547251/)
Zaeva Werle, 7, a 2nd grader at Hiawatha Community School, and other Hiawatha students climbed on Joe Caldwell, a 5th and 6th grade staff member at Hiawatha, as he entertained them after swim lessons on Friday.
Kids walk quickly towards the pools just after North Commons Waterpark opened at 1 p.m. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board along with Abbey's Hope Charitable Foundation held swimming lessons for school children and the public at North Commons Water Park in Minneapolis, MN, on Friday, June 24, 2016.
Edgerton/SW MN Christian pitcher Elizabeth Buckridge, left, helps shortstop Chynna Berning apply sunscreen before the 1A State Championship game on Friday at Caswell Park in North Mankato. Temperatures reached up to 94 degrees on Friday, June 10, 2016.
Wayzata infielder Cody Goedderz (23) misses catching a ground ball and commits an error in the third inning of the Minnesota High School State Division 4A Quarterfinals at CHS Field in St. Paul, MN, on Thursday, June 16, 2016.
Wayzata infielder Will Oberg (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run in third inning, putting Wayzata ahead 4-0. Wayzata went on to defeat Eden Prairie 10-5 in the Minnesota State Quarterfinals.
A player's award sits along the line of Winona players after they were defeated by Mankato 4-3 at Caswell Park in North Mankato on Friday, June 10, 2016, in the Minnesota State High School Girls' Softball Tournament Finals.
Chanhassen players cheer and await catcher Jessica Bren (21) at home plate after she hit a three-run homer in the first inning to pull ahead of Buffalo 3-0. Chanhassen defeated Buffalo 5-3 to claim Chanhassen’s first Class 4A state championship.
Eden Prairie midfielder Kelly Wolfe (11) drives by Blake defender Lucy Burton (3). The Eden Prairie Eagles defeated the Blake Bears 11-9 in the 2016 Minnesota State High School Girls Lacrosse Tournament at Chanhassen High School on Saturday, June 18, 2016.
Minnesota United FC midfielder Aaron Pitchkolan (4) and Club Leon midfielder Miguel Ibarra (14) both go for an aerial kick in the first half. Club Leon defeated Minnesota United FC 4-2 at Target Field in Minnesota, MN, on Sunday June 25, 2016.
Lakeville North midfielder Luke Anderson (22) drives upfield while guarded by Prior Lake attacker Carter Collins (22). Prior Lake defeating Lakeville North 12-5 to earn their first state title at Chanhassen High School on Saturday, June 18, 2016.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson prepares to deliver a meal to a resident of the apartment complex at 1707 3rd Ave. S. as one of the resident's neighbors looks on from his room. Players from the Minnesota Twins volunteered to help pass out meals for Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to individuals who are unable to prepare or get access to nutritious meals, on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. Meals on Wheels delivers approximately 1,600 meals a week to people around Minneapolis.
Vily Southaya works on his fishing pole while Tong Vang, left, and others fish at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in Brooklyn, MN, on Monday, June 13, 2016. Southaya said fishing relieves stress for him, but explained, "They're not biting today," after fishing for a short while.
Jennifer Hanson, of Manhattan, KS, left, and Chris Harrison watch VR films with Samsung Gear VR while Alison Kozberg, center, Moving Image Program Manager at the Walker, watches visitors. Walker Art Center visitors experienced "Virtual Reality: The New Frontier" by viewing different VR films on smartphones and Samsung Gear VR in Minneapolis, MN, on Wednesday, June 16, 2016.
Park Brook Elementary 3rd grader Kyla Resech, 9, looks up in the rope jungle gym while her classmates climb around her during a recess trip to French Regional Park in Plymouth, MN, on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.
Teresa Baker, of the Municipal Building Commission, gives a tour of the interesting facts of the Minneapolis City Council building on Monday, June 27, 2016. Until the Foshay Tower was built in the 1920s, the clock tower made the City Hall and Courthouse the tallest building in Minneapolis.
Reagan Weber, 2, lays in her father's arms as she listened to a children's band perform before the fireworks display held by the city of Bloomington, MN, at Normandale Lake Bandshell on Sunday, July 3, 2016.
Spectators watched the fireworks display from a bridge across W 84th St. at Normandale Lake Bandshell in Bloomington, MN, on Sunday, July 3, 2016.