DC Day 4

Dear Blog,

Today we went to USA Today all the way in McLean, Virginia (fun transportation, love you William!). Incredible architecture and informative talks. A lot of the work they were proud, I know how to make from RIT classes (like the VR panoramas, video editing, multimedia, ect.) - if I hone in on those skills perhaps there's a decent job out for me. heh. heh.

And Education Week was cool as well, they have great day rates! :)

Sorry for the short post, I'm beat.

<3 Juliet

DC Day 3

Inspired conversation at AP, and an appreciation for the wire press. "You have to be hungry." McLatchy was educational, but the real highlight of the day:
The Woman. The Heart. The Skill. Carol Guzy.
Yes that might come off a bit dramatic, but honestly, Carol is a hero. A registered nurse before she started her career as a photojournalist, her priorities are clear; she cares about people and she cares about telling their stories. Her work in Kosavo, Haiti, Sierra Leone illustrates that, but also her demeanor and honesty. Aside from her commitment and obsession for storytelling, she also has three wonderful dogs and a cockatoo. :) love you trixie and grace.

DC Day 2

Today we started out at National Geographic with Ken Geiger. I found the work environment to be focused and creative, with a life-sized Neanderthal figure in one office and an M&M dispenser in the hallway. I could see the relative freedom they have with long-term stories. Although economic hard-times dampen their budget they still manage to leave photographers in the field quite awhile. The quality of the work is incredible, very good opportunity.

The afternoon we spent with the photo staff of the White House. Photo editor Jen Poggi had many good points and an endless wealth of enthusiasm and appreciation for her job. What I personally grasped of her advice was the observation that it is vital, even in a stressful work environment, to find pleasure in the little things and supplement your work with reading and music. Otherwise, it will leave you "feeling like a dried-up well." I hope someday to be in a work environment like the photo department at the white house, where documentation and respect are paramount.

DC Day 1

Here starts my expedition into possible internships and opportunities in the political, sprawling Washington D.C. I started my day walking several miles to Massachusetts Avenue, where NPR is stationed (pun intended). I started listening to NPR on a regular basis three years ago, when my excessive commute to RIT made Morning Edition and All Things Considered a highlight in my day. Working at WITR, I learned more about radio, so NPR was SO SWEET. The equipment and resources are incredible, and the staff seemed great as well.

Then the Washington Post in the afternoon. Very impressive staff and resources. Typical buzz of a newsroom. However, there was an incredibly optimistic video producer that reminded me, through his presentation of work, why I love communicating and storytelling, although I am still figuring out how I plan to do so.

And so ends day 1 in D.C.!