Brigham Young University junior Justyn Luedke slides down a foam slip-and-slide during BYU’s True Blue Foam event Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at Helaman Fields in Provo. For the first time, the BYU homecoming staple was held prior to homecoming week due to inclement weather concerns that are more common later in fall, according to Anthony Holt, an event specialist with BYU’s Department of Student Leadership’s activity team. “It’s always been a part of homecoming, but unfortunately the weather is just so unpredictable,” said Holt. “We decided that we would move the event up to try and serve the most students possible.”
September was a reality check for me.
I can't be everywhere. Being the only photographer at the Daily Herald in a coverage area of 600,000 people, I cannot make it to every photo assignment (even important ones). Since becoming a one-man band in April, I've been more or less working whenever. Yes, I (mostly) stuck to a Monday through Friday work week, but my schedule was totally à la carte when it came to assignments. I'd bounce between morning and evening shifts most days of the week, and sometimes work odd split/double shifts resulting in morning, afternoon and nighttime assignments all in one day.
To be honest, nobody told me that I had to work that way. I felt devoted to doing as much as I could to ensure the community got coverage, and to shoulder as much of the photo work as possible to keep reporters focused on what they do best: writing stories. I never wanted to miss an assignment that had the potential for a great photo – Frankly, many assignments have the potential for a great photo, but one never knows what could have been if they don't show up themselves. It's a mentality that results in a fruitful portfolio, but often in an anxious, lonely life.
However, in September I came to the realization that this lifestyle simply isn't sustainable if I want any hope of being happy when I'm not holding a camera. I came to my boss and explained that I was burnt out, and wanted to stick to a Monday through Friday, 1-9pm schedule, and she absolutely understood me and accepted my request without issue. I am blessed to work among people that not only appreciate what I do professionally, but value my well-being and overall happiness.
I think there's an unspoken mentality of giving your life to your craft in photojournalism, of work never stopping, and that saying no or sending someone else to cover bases "shows a lack of dedication". On the contrary, I've felt more dedicated to photojournalism and happier with my job by placing boundaries in my professional life. Doing so has allowed me to reestablish routines in my personal life, and made me feel more whole as a person. That makes me happy, and that bleeds over into my professional work, allowing for a mutual, healthy balance. That's not at all to say I've stopped being flexible with my job. I still do projects on my days off, answer texts and emails before my shift, schedule freelancers for upcoming assignments late at night in order to give ample notice – But, I'm realizing that I am not the only solution to every work situation.
Even if I was somehow able to work every hour of every day, I'd still miss pictures. I can't keep working consistently and sustainably if I'm not feeding myself, enriching my own life. I should not hang myself out to dry in dejection over the "what ifs", but rather should revel in what I do get to experience in a day's 24 short hours, both with and without a camera.
The Daniels and Kimber families, both of Lehi, check out granny’s gravity house during a private event held at Cornbelly’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Fest at Thanksgiving Point on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, in Lehi.
Samantha Lloyd practices mediating among fellow inmates with the guidance of Jeffery Jones, a lieutenant with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, during a class covering mindfulness techniques and topics Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork.
Vocalist Brandon Robbins performs with The Moth & The Flame during the final show of the final season for the Provo Rooftop Concert Series held Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, in downtown Provo.
Fans react as iDKHOW BUT THEY FOUND ME performs during the final show of the final season for the Provo Rooftop Concert Series held Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, in downtown Provo.
Elton John performs “Bennie and the Jets” during his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.
Brody Barson, left, and Kyle Stevenson, both wildlife technicians with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, load bags of seeds in the seed warehouse at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Great Basin Research Center on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Ephraim. The warehouse stores approximately 1.2 million pounds of seeds. Being the only such seed warehouse in Utah, the facility is responsible for seed collection and mixing, as well as habitat research, range trend monitoring and providing habitat restoration equipment for the whole state.
Westlake cornerback Jacksen Christensen (23) breaks up a pass intended for Lone Peak wide receiver Trajan Hansen (3) during a game between the Lone Peak Knights and the Westlake Thunder held Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Lone Peak High School in Highland.
Tyler Toone, 8, traverses the vendor floor on all fours while dressed as a character inspired by movies like “The Ring” and “The Exorcist” during the second day of FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention held Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.
Ethan Braithwaite, 15, a snare drummer in the Utah Pipe Band, poses for a portrait Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, at his family’s home in Lindon. Braithwaite drums partially to honor one of his instructors, Zach Lees, who died by suicide on Jan. 28 of this year. “I use drumming like as a memory of Zach and other people I knew that have passed away,” Ethan said.
Staci Stout holds a necklace with the name of her late son, Baylor, 13, engraved on it Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, at the Stout family’s home in South Jordan. Baylor died last July while asleep in the car with his father when another driver, under the influence of marijuana and falling asleep at the wheel, forced the Stouts to be driven off a mountain road near Birdseye in Spanish Fork Canyon.
Orem freshman Ford Robinson (99) dons his helmet before a game between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Skyridge Falcons held Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at Orem High School.
Ross Uipi, a detective with the Provo Police Department, readies himself at the 18th annual Healing Field in Sandy on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, before a service to commemorate those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
Londyn Bambrough, 14, walks through a portion of her brother’s haunted house, The Nebo Nightmare Haunted Forest, located next to their family’s home in Woodland Hills on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019.
Third-grader Autumn Lodder, 8, reacts while accompanied by her teacher, Joy Edwards, and fellow student, Anna Purcell, 8, as Lodder sees that a book she wants is available to check out from the library at Liberty Hills Elementary School on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, in Lehi.
Skyridge players enter their locker room during halftime in a game between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Skyridge Falcons held Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at Orem High School.
Scott Schwarz twirls a drumstick as he drums a rhythm on a bucket while he bikes along State Street on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, in Orem. Schwarz’s rhythmic rides came to be during a pivotal turning point in his life: while transitioning out of rehab for an alcohol addiction. See more from this Monday Close-Up here: provodh.com/m10mu.
Salem Hills tight end Deven Johnson (88) celebrates as he evades Springville linebacker Alejandro Quezada (10) to score a touchdown during a game between the Springville Red Devils and the Salem Hills Skyhawks held Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, at Springville High School.
Gerry Jensen poses for a portrait with a photograph of her extended family at her family’s farm on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in Benjamin. Her husband, Ronald Jensen, 87, currently heads up work on the farm, which was built by his grandfather in the 1860’s according to Gerry. Their son Eric currently lives on the property, another son, Ryan, lives next door, and Jensen stated that they and their siblings will eventually take over the family farm.