The Dream Team

We are certainly a couple of nerds... We find joy in pans, zooms and off tripod action. Although the two of us are very different, Andrew and I are kindred spirits of the photog variety. We love what we do. Andrew's past news experience has taken him to what we call "the show" while mine has been a more uniquely amateur road but with our hearts following a similar love we find ourselves here- Abilene, TX KTAB/KRBC. Being the only 2 news photographers for 2 entire stations we often find ourselves pulling off minor miracles to get the job done. The rush is what drives us and the occasional exhaustion and bitterness that define all that is amazing about this thing that we love. We had the rare chance to chat this week. In discussion we realized our dynamic may be one of our station's best in recent years. Being only two, our weaknesses are atoned in the strengths of one another.

Proud of our geekiness and modestly honest about shortcomings, we are a special little team.

As such, we are happy to welcome a new member to our overly sentimental photographer contingent. A new camera joined the team this month. She brought with her a new wide angle lens, light and wireless mic system. She was initiated today. A faulty tripod sent her on a frightful dive. She weathered the fall with only flesh wounds but the fresh scars make her quite official. She lacks only a name. We have tossed several around the news room and finally settled on a gender but we have yet to choose a name. We are open for ideas. It has to be tough and ugly to make the cut... Agnus is a strong competitor at this point but post your ideas and we will throw them in the pool.

The Female Photog

Being a news photographer is a lot of fun. We end up in some neat places shooting things we don't quite understand sometimes... occasionally it's not too challenging like when we are shooting public events or simple thing but sometimes we end up in below freezing temperatures, blazing wildfires and at tragic accidents. This job is not necessarily designed for a woman... Every other photographer in this market is a man. My assignments editor and I share this one thing in common. Before her position at our station she was a photographer for KRBC. We are not a common breed in film and television. I ran into a NBA network photographer recently and asked how often he runs into a female photographer... he replied that we are about as common as a female cab driver in New York City- it just doesn't happen very often. There are obvious reasons for this position being better filled by a man. HOWEVER, with my love for the job I often find myself in situations that no man could ever satisfy.

For instance... When breaking news happens and we rush to the scene and find ourselves doing a live shot 30 minutes later. Katherine Lane is on the scene with me and doesn't have her make up and is looking rather... windswept. No worries! The female photog has powder, lipstick, bobby pins and hairspray! It was a magical moment!

Or... when we were on assignment in Austin at the state capitol building and the mic clip for our lapel mic has gone missing. Don't fear! The female photog whips a hair clip out of her hair and neatly clips the mic out of sight. Again Katherine was grateful.

More recently... Brittany Pelletz and I were on a shoot at a gym. We needed shots of her doing her daily work out. I shot like I normally might of but I was brainstorming some very cool ideas for a few shots that would require me to get, well... in a rather questionable position that no man could reasonably put himself in. We got the shots! It looked great!

I love what I do but I'm certain that some people don't quite understand my presence on scenes. My validation is my camera and always will be. There are ups and downs but the female photogs, as rare as they may be, are held to another standard. Cheers to us ladies and the men we work with!