“Photojournalist by trade. Educator at heart”. – Lori King

Lori King is a photojournalist at the Toledo (Ohio) Blade newspaper and an adjunct photojournalism/multimedia instructor at Kent State University, University of Toledo, Wayne State University and Owens Community College.

A few words about my instructor and what I learnt from her. I believe teachers and their teachings remain with us for the lifetime. I said ‘a few words’ about her because she is a compendium of photojournalism. I cannot summarize all that she taught us for the whole semester, the knowledge and understanding gained, into hundreds or few thousands of words.

Lori King is an encyclopedic personality, which she has acquired after more than 30 years of experience. Every photo she takes testifies for her compassion for photojournalism. Me talking about her work is like shooting a torch light on the moon to admire its magnificence.

She laid the foundations of my photojournalism and reinforced it with ethics of the profession.  Lori is dedicated a teacher. I really admire her patience, especially with students like me.

Lori’s lectures helped me better understand the insights of media industry and its work culture. Types of challenges a journalist has to face while covering a story and how a journalist can resolve those challenges.

When I first stepped into King’s class, I was a layman with little or no knowledge of photojournalism. All I knew was that we press click on camera to shoot photos and tap on cell phone screens to snap photos and selfies.

Lori King relentlessly aspired to instill the education, taught me the technical and operational aspects of cameras and photos. The chemistry, the dynamic relationship between the eyes from behind the view finder and the scene or subject in front of the view finder.

She bestowed me with the knowledge and understanding to identify the skills of photojournalism within myself and coached me to transform photos into meaningful stories.

Lori taught me about different perspectives and elements of visual storytelling. About influential phenomenon’s like; circling the wagon, anticipation, patience, arrive first – leave last, blending technical ability and creativity, to produce an impactful story.

Also introduced me to organizations like NPPA which helped me with my research and surely will be a vital source of information for my future projects.

I am thankful and proud to be trained under this transcendent ex-service woman.

Find out more about Lori King at https://lori-king.squarespace.com/