Photojournalism
Not only teaching students the basics of photography, but developing their abilities to cover stories using visual imagery.
Visual Imagery
Photography is a key aspect in all areas of journalism and media studies. Visual imagery adds a dynamic element to print and digital media, and can make video productions and marketing campaigns more impactful. It can even provide an engaging complementary experience to audio-productions.
One of the areas where photography can be most powerful is in the field of photojournalism. The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies offers classes in photojournalism that not only teach students the basics of photography, but develop their abilities to cover stories using visual imagery. In addition, the school hosts a photojournalism contest, that allows students to showcase the skills they have developed.
Rule of Thirds by Sarah Martinez
Photojournalism Contest
Contest Theme: “Solutions Start Here”
The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies launched a photojournalism contest in the spring 2017 semester for undergraduate and graduate journalism students. The contest highlighted student work as part of journalism school’s mission to put classroom education into professional practice. Sponsored by Canon, the theme of the contest was “Solutions Start Here,” and student work focused on portraying problems that exists in the Southern Nevada community and solutions that are being developed. Students were awarded cameras from Canon. The contest judges were: Rehan Choudhry, CEO of A Beautiful Perspective, a media and events company; Erik Kabik, lead photographer for MediaPunch in Las Vegas; Steve Marcus, Las Vegas Sun photographer and the Greenspun Media Group; Aaron Mayes, curator for Visual Materials at UNLV Libraries Special Collection; and Chitose Suzuki, assistant photo editor for the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Winners for the 2017 Competition
Single Image Category
- First Place - Ariana DeCastro “Still Feeling the Bern"
- Second Place - Sallyann Ficarrotta “Passing Him By"
- Third Place - Morgan Evans "UNLV Football Linebacker Gabe McCoy”
Single Image Category: First Place - Ariana DeCastro “Still Feeling the Bern"
Multiple-Image Story Category
- First Place - Sallyann Ficarrotta “Passing Him By"
- Second Place - Ashley Ranan “Water Is"
- Third Place - Nicole Soto “Las Vegas Lights Up More Than Just the Strip"
Multiple-Image Story Category: Sallyann Ficarrotta “Passing Him By"
Photojournalism Contest Judges
Rehan Choudhry
Rehan Choudry is the Founder and CEO of A Beautiful Perspective, a media and events company for the passionately curious to get inspired, informed, and involved. He is the Founder of the Life is Beautiful Festival, which integrates music, art, food, and education. He was previously the Director of Entertainment & Special Events at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and the Regional Director of Marketing, Partnerships and Development for Caesars Entertainment.
Erik Kabik
Erik Kabik is currently the Lead Photographer for MediaPunch in Las Vegas. He has photographed musicians as diverse as Beyonce and Willie Nelson to The Grateful Dead and Kiss. Erik is the House Photographer for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. His live music photo collection, Classic Rock For The Future: Vol 1, has been on display in various John Varvatos clothing stores throughout the United States. Erik earned his degree in photojournalism from Southern Oregon University.
Steve Marcus
Steve Marcus is a photographer for the Las Vegas Sun and has been a photojournalist for the Greenspun Media Group since 1993. His work has appeared in the Las Vegas Weekly, Vegas Inc., and other publications that cover the Las Vegas area.
Aaron Mayes
Aaron Mayes is the Curator for Visual Materials at UNLV Libraries Special Collection. A professional photographer for more than 25 years, Aaron has worked as a staff photographer for UNLV and the Las Vegas Sun. He started his career as a writer/photographer at the former Henderson Home News in the early 1990's. He has a BA in Art from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Chitose Suzuki
Chitose Suzuki is an assistant photo editor at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Previously, she worked as a staff photographer at the Boston Herald, The Associated Press and the Boston Globe. She has covered various assignments including the Summer Olympics in Athens and Beijing, presidential elections, World Series, Miss Universe, the Toronto International Film Festival and ASEAN summits. She studied photography at the New England School of Photography in Boston after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Keio University in Tokyo.