PHOTOJOURNALISM

Taking photos is easy. Taking good photos is hard. I found that out when a low-light lacrosse game at 9:30 PM couldn't be captured by my camera. I made it a point to shoot better photos and find the story.

My freshman year, I thought that Emma, one of the EICs, didn't prioritize broadcast enough, and took too many photos. I didn't understand it until I put my eye behind a lens for the first time. It changed me and pushed me farther than I've gone before. The cliche is that a picture is worth a thousand words, but I find myself realizing that the experiences may be worth more.

GALLERIES

OTHER PHOTOS

WHAT MY PEERS HAVE TO SAY

MY JOURN(EY)ALISM

GIRLS BASKETBALL

QUARTERFINALS -

FRESHMAN YEAR

My freshman year was the first time I ever even picked up a photography camera. I had been live streaming (see Broadcast Journalism for more) our girls basketball team for their run to the quarterfinals, but once they got to the Denver Coliseum, that job was in the hands of the NFHS Network. I still wanted to be a part of the sport as best I could, and what better way than to take photos? These photos aren't good in the slightest. I used sports mode, and sitting on the baseline was the closest I've ever been to any sporting event. This picture might be the only one that isn't blurry. Still, I chose to include it in my portfolio to show my growth as a photographer.

BOYS SOCCER - SOPHOMORE YEAR

Being in attendance for four of the five playoff games Grandview had during my freshman year en route to their first boys soccer state title in school history was special. The rivalry game between Cherokee Trail and Grandview was the first game I ever called. I was hooked. Because the turf fields at our school didn't allow for very many livestreams, I still wanted to contribute to the team in any way I could. The best way to do that was with photos. While I was still shooting in sports mode during this time, photos weren't my main priority, but I wanted to start getting better at it. This shot specifically is more geared toward a portrait without too much movement or action, however, I wanted to put more emphasis on the subject and his emotions, especially in such an emotional moment, scoring a goal for his late grandfather (also see Reporting & Writing for the full story).

Pops Concert - Junior

year

While I love being around sports, I still felt I had gaps in my coverage, which is why I made an effort to capture the other aspects of our school - including this choir concert. Still shooting in sports mode, I played with the settings until I captured this shot as Summer Abeyta leaned into her note. I was aiming for emotion - especially in an area where emotion might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about music.

Boys Basketball - Senior

year

I'm finally free of sports mode. For every shot I've taken this year, I've manually adjusted my ISO, Shutter Speed, and White Balance. I'm beginning to write better captions and shoot for storytelling and galleries. I've begun to get interviews for specific shots. This year, I've really made an effort to frame the entire subject in the shot, capturing head to toe. It's been a long journey from my sports mode button mashing to methodic storytelling through photography. For this photo in particular, I tried to position myself so that I could get as much detail on faces as I could. This worked amazingly, highlighting the offender's gritted teeth and the effort he's putting into this one shot.

GALLERIES

Head Varsity Baseball Coach Scott Henry consoles a crying Tucker Smock as their season comes to an end. Smock batted 0.400, with five RBIs, and eight stolen bases in the Wolves' seven postseason games.

Senior Brock Johnston pools tears in his eyes as he reflects on his time playing baseball. "I'm not playing baseball in college, so it was tough watching the season come to an end," Johnston said. Johnston had an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning and another RBI on a four-pitch walk in the seventh as the Wolves attempted to mount a comeback.

Sophomore Pitcher Ethan Wachsman walks back to the dugout after being pulled from the game in the bottom of the fifth innings. The Wolves were trying to get out of a jam that put Cherry Creek up by five runs when Wachsman was subbed in for Junior Star, Jax Pfister. Wachmann walked the only two batters he saw on eight straight balls.

WOLVES LOSE TO CHERRY CREEK; END THEIR CINDERELLA SEASON

While in the presence of greatness, the Wolves gave the Bruins a scare. The 2024 5A Baseball season was one of many massive storylines. Cherry Creek legend, Mark Johnston's last season, Grandview being a 16 seed and making to the Final Four, and Grand Slams leading the way. Watching it all unravel on the basepaths was so sad. For this gallery, I wanted to focus on how much work and effort these players put into their sport. I wasn't afraid to capture the sensitive moments of loss and heartbreak and get close to the action. The photos I selected to showcase are my favorite because they show the hard part of sports - loss.

On a design quarterback run in the second quarter of the Colorado High School Activities Association's (CHSAA) first round 5A Football Playoffs, Junior Quarterback Blitz McCarty grits his teeth as he fights for extra yards near the line of scrimmage. The Wolves played the Denver East Angles at All-City Stadium Saturday, November 9. McCarty had seven rushes on the day but finished with -15 yards.

Caleb Llamas '25 rushes through the Grandview offensive line. After allowing a field goal on Denver East's first drive, Llamas scored a forty-three yard touchdown on this run to put the Wolves up 6-3.

After a 26-yard reception, Asher Matson '26 celebrates against Denver East High School (DEHS) in the first round of the 5A Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Football Playoffs. The Wolves were leading the Angels and looking to score again late in the fourth quarter.

WOLVES PLAY DEVIL - UPSET EAST ANGELS IN PLAYOFFS

For my first time shooting on manual, I wasn't too upset. I wanted to capture emotion, just like in all my galleries, but I wanted to focus on a bit of chaos. In the first two photos above, there is commotion, action, and ruckus all around; singling out the action and the primary subject helped keep the photo grounded. For the third photo, as the sun got darker and passed to the far side of the field, I was worried about my shutter not being able to capture the celebration, but I was still able to capture the celebration over the defender.

Ella Barrett (12) prepares to sing Chamber's Singer's rendition of Skyfall for the Senior Pops Concert. The Senior Pops Concert honors the class of 2024 for their contributions to Grandview Performing Arts.

Mr. Drown, smiles as he hears his collegue, Mrs. Newman, talk about his contributions to Grandview Performing Arts. This was Mr. Drown's last concert before retirement, being honored by having many of his past student's come and sing for him.

Summer Abeyta leans back, belting "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," by ADONA for the Senior Pops Concert.

GRANDVIEW PERFORMING ARTS HONORS MR. DROWN IN ONE LAST CONCERT

This was my third event in just that day. Coming from Baseball and playoff Soccer, a Choir Concert was a nice moment to settle down. Until it wasn't. As an honor to the retiring Mr. Drown, the Performing Arts Department held celebrations. The festivities and celebrations were far from "settled down." The creative freedom and celebration were what the night was about, and being able to capture that through my lens was special.

Senior Captain Evan Stellino pushes the puck towards the slot in front of the net.

Harper, Lewis-Palmer High School's Dream Week Kid, grins ear-to-ear with her parents, including Lewis-Palmer Varsity Assistant Coach Zach Ledford. Harper, a three-year-old, was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year. Funds from the Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic will help support her treatments. "[She's] been our team’s sponsor child. She’s been a fighter,” Lewis-Palmer Varsity Head Coach Scott Bradley said with enthusiasm.

Senior Aidan McGinty battles for a puck with Lewis-Palmer along the makeshift boards set up for the Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic.

SIMPLY STICK, ICE, PUCK, AND NET

Driving down to Monument, an hour away, armed with a camera and without directions or a clear idea of where I was headed, I just knew it was simply stick, ice, puck, and net. I wanted to focus on the presentation of the Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic, including the unique rink placed in the middle of Palmer Lake and the cause that the funds were supporting with portraits. It was difficult to shoot photos in the conditions, one, because of how cold the environment was, and two, because of the makeshift lights set up to provide the environment of pond hockey. (Also see Reporting & Writing for the Full Story)

OTHER PHOTOS

Sasha Kennedy (11) is all smiles as she runs past the Chatfield dugout after she hits her second home run of the game. Kennedy extended the Wolves' lead to 8-0 in the top of the sixth inning. "I honestly wasn't expecting it. I was going up there for line drives, and they placed it right where I was looking," Kennedy said.

I was glad to be able to capture Kennedy running across the Chatfield dugout in this shot. Being able to see the emotions and faces of their head coach and some other players in the dugout really adds to the context and story behind this photo.

With all five Mullen Mustang defenders in her gravity, two-time defending Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year Sienna Betts pushes the ball towards the glass for a bank shot. Betts experienced her first playoff loss of her high school career last season at the hands of Mullen. "I'm sure at some point, I'll reflect on [getting a win over Mullen], but right now, they were just the next ones on the schedule," Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Josh Ulitzky said.

Even if you don't go to Grandview, you may know that Sienna Betts is a special player. In this shot, I was able to capture all five defenders looking up at her as she imposes her will. This was the theme I captured without even trying to.

With a lightsaber in the air, Choir Director Luke Mizuki leads the Tenor/Bass Choir in their rendition of popular Star Wars songs.

Part of this piece was a lightsaber battle, after which Mr. Mizuki picked up one of them and used it while directing. I captured this shot as he stood

Senior Nate Andereas leads the team in a huddle prior to the Wolves' Second Round Playoff game against Horizon.

This was another unique shot, getting right into the huddle, finding my window, and decreasing my shutter speed so I could work with more light all to come away with this. Similar to my other shots, this is a more intimate shot showcasing emotions and spirit.

Junior Oliver Schimberg checks his time in the 100 Backstroke in a meet at Regis Jesuit High School, as two Raider swimmers on his flank have yet to finish. Schimberg finished first with a time of 53.44.

I wanted to show the dominance of Oliver Schimberg, and this photo sums it up. Before any other swimmer is finished, he is looking back at his time. This photo highlights my ability to time a shot, especially one that isn't a portrait.

Michaela Onyenwere was one of three Grandview Hall of Fame Inductees honored at Heritage Eagle Club. Gripping the sides of the podium in her speech, she sports her McDonald's All-American Ring and her 2017 Girls Basketball State Championship Ring.

I tried to capture the details of the night - including the rings that she won while here at Grandview. These small details don't go unnoticed by my lens, as I am committed to capture the details of every moment.

Junior Justin Dean launches a pitch at a Cherokee Trail Cougars Batter in the second inning of their Friday Night Lights makeup game. An annual tradition for the Wolves is to play under the lights at Double Angel Fields, but it was rained out two Fridays ago, April 26, 2024.

This was a unique photo because I wanted to take a different perspective. Sitting right behind home plate, I adjusted my aperture to make sure that I could capture the emotions and moment right after a pitch - an angle that isn't captured often.

Jonathan Montez Gonzalez played himself into a state championship match, where he battled Arvada West's Auston Eudaly. In the final few seconds, Montez's move slipped, and so did his chances of achieving wrestling glory. "I had his wrist, and I thought I was going to be able to roll. As soon as I start rolling, it slips. By the time I tried hitting it again, the time was up," Montez said. "It was like my worst nightmare."

Whether we like it or not, sports are some of the most emotional moments we share. Fans, coaches, and athletes all root for their team - the stakes raise tenfold in a state championship match. Jonathan Montez Gonzalez came that close, and his emotions say it all.

Brynn Godwin attempts a shot in front of the net as defenders close in on her during the fourth quarter. Grandview trailed 13-8 and were attempting to come back - Godwin leading the way with five goals by the end of the night. “Brynn is really good. She’s got the speed, she’s got the stamina, [and] the IQ to really be a special player,” Coach Smith said.

Shooting in the dark with little light posed a challenge for sports, but my timing, especially as Godwin got the ball in space, is another example of my ability to see a shot through the lens as a play in unfolding.

WHAT MY PEERS HAVE TO SAY

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