May 8, 1998

Some may think I am crazy.

Every now and then, I think so too.

I first got into this whole photojournalism thing when I was a sophomore in high school. In the fall, all of the clubs at school set up a tables and solicit sign-ups. A friend of mine was manning the newspaper table, and I asked him if I could be a photographer. “Sure,” he responded, just wanting to get his shift over with so he could enjoy his lunch. My life has never been the same. To this day I don’t really know why I wanted to be a photographer, it just happened. Thank goodness it did.

I didn’t know I was going to do this for a living (I guess I still don’t) until my junior year. I loved the way people reacted to my photographs. I loved capturing that moment when everything comes together to tell a story. And I loved going into a situation and observing what was going on -- trying to be anonymous and invisible was my goal. I wanted 100% natural images. All of these things contributed to my gradual realization that this is what I wanted to do.

Kate McClean, center, adjusts her makeup while Cory McDivitt applies the finishing touches to her sister Molly's makeup before the final production of Jesuit High School's musical review.

© 1998 Joe Jaszewski

When I see my photographs posted around school on bulletin boards and teacher’s desks it just reinforces my desire to create meaningful images because I know that people appreciate them. Above all, I enjoyed the process of creating quality photographs. It feels like a competition; me against the laws of nature. And it feels so good when I come out on top.

U.S. National Team member and Jesuit High School soccer team captain Lee Morrison heads the ball away from a Christian Brother's defender en route to Jesuit's league clinching victory over the Falcons. Jesuit went on to win the section title.

© 1998 Joe Jaszewski

I didn’t come right out and tell my parents this is what I wanted to do with my life. My mother is a vocational counselor, and as one can imagine, she has a fair amount of people waltzing into her office wanting to be a photographer. “Because its cool,” they would say. And she knew about the dismal job market for photographers.

But when it came time to choosing colleges, I started dropping in schools that had good journalism and photojournalism programs. She and my father got the idea. Fortunately for me I have very supportive parents, and they have supported me in this decision 100%. Thanks, guys.

I was first introduced to Ohio University through word of mouth and over the Internet. I didn’t expect to attend because it was so far away, and I thought that Western Kentucky University or U. or Missouri had better programs. Then Larry and Marcy Nighswander visited the Sacramento Bee, and I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by them. I was blown away. I then considered OU must more seriously and really started researching the program. After a visit, I have decided to go to Ohio University’s School of Visual Communications. They have a top-notch program with excellent faculty, enthusiastic students, and a family atmosphere. It is a long way from home but I am ready to go for it. I can’t wait to immerse myself in photojournalism for four years and just work my tail off. The next four years should be one hec of an adventure.

At this point in my career and life, I am trying to figure out what I am going to do this summer. Last year I worked for the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation’s photo lab in Sacramento. It paid well, and i did have a good time. But it was a lot of lab work and not enough shooting for me. It was a great experience, but I want to do some more photojournalism and editorial photography this summer if possible. I will probably be able to get some assignments from a local weekly that pays well, and if I am lucky I will get a few assignments or some speculation work from Reuters. I have had one picture on the AP wire, but with the current contract situation, I don’t think I want to try and market my work to them at this point. Unless something more steady comes up, I will be playing it by ear and doing as much freelance as humanly possible.

As a second semester senior, all of my friends are now choosing their colleges and what they are going to do with their lives. Occasionally, I think I made the wrong choice when I see photojournalism jobs that advertise salary of $18,000 and my friends talk of the jobs being offered to the graduates of their college and the salaries are double that. But happiness is more important to me than money. I just remind myself that I would go nuts working a 9-5, sitting behind a desk, pushing papers.

Portrait: Ian Ehrenreich, a Buddhist attending a Catholic school.

© 1998 Joe Jaszewski

It may be for some people, but not for me. I move and I shake. I can’t sit still. I am constantly either thinking or going, one or the other. I need the variety of photojournalism to keep me going. I live off the rush I get out of knowing I got “it.” If you do what you love, then you can’t go wrong.

This is what attracts me to photojournalism.

Joe Jaszewski

May 8, 1998

earlier journal home later journal
Joseph Jaszewski
< joeja@ucdavis.edu >
Student
Davis, California
Other journals by Joeseph Jaszewski
358 April 17, 2000 Thank goodness for film
353 February 25, 2000 McCain in California
345 February 17 , 2000 Wrestling with the WWF
335 November 20, 1999 Trust your instincts
331 Is Photojournalism Dead? Joe Jaszewski Why be a student of photojournalism, if in fact its deceased?
315 September 12, 1999 It was one of the businest days
313 September 6, 1999 T-Ball days
300 July 10, 1999 "We'll Make This One Work"
293 June 30, 1999 105 degrees. 5pm. American Legion baseball, Rio American High School
289 June 2, 1999 Exactly Two Months Ago
287 May 31, 1999 One of my favorite subjects to photograph
275 May 1, 1999 How do you cover a demonstration when you are the target of crowds displeasure?
268 April 22, 1999 While out on assignment, I usually have some clue of what I should do, and when I should do it.
256 March 25, 1999 Hoop Frames
249 March 15, 1999 Perhaps those who should be most concerned about the future of photojournalism are students
220 February 9, 1999 Airlines are a Curious Thing
203 January 18, 1999 Last week I was asked to join the staff of The Sacramento Bee’s group of 7 community weekly newspapers, Neighbors.
196 January 4, 1999 The next step
187 December 13, 1998 Shoot with just one body, a 35mm f/2 lens, and a roll of 800 film.
177 November 21, 1998 Sometimes, things just have a funny way of working out and fate joins your side for a bit.
164 October 27, 1998 It sure feels good when someone in a management capacity notices the work you do and goes out of their way to acknowledge the quality of that work and compliment you.
154 October 7, 1998 Getting my feet back on level ground
148 September September Tom Hubbard Thoughts on being a freshman Guest Journal Thoughts on being a freshman Photos added 9/29
137 August 24, 1998 When formal assignments are running thin and I just have that itch to shoot, I rely on my family to provide a subject: themselves.
130 August 6, 1998 The bar keeps getting raised
119 July 24, 1998 I had no guarantee of selling the photos I was about to take. I figured if I couldn’t get anyone to buy them, then I would just chalk it up to experience.
114 July 17, 1998 . The best high school photojournalism program in the world
110 July 8, 1998 Redemption
103 June 25, 1998 Let’s go and knock on other people’s doors and meet them
91 June 12, 1998 This was a milestone for me, considering I had never had an assignment from a commercial newspaper
71 May 8, 1998 Why I chose Photojournalism as a Career
 
Contributor since 1998
  
   


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