Personal Reflection Essay

Being in newspaper class has helped me grow in so so many ways, especially with my photography and teamwork. When I first started, I wasn’t very confident in my work ethic and timeliness. Sometimes they were late, or not up to my standards. But over time, I started paying more attention to what makes a photo stand out and Mrs. London and the editos want. I learned how to frame my shots better, use lighting better and capture real moments, especially with emotion. Now, I feel much more confident behind the camera, and photography has become something I truly enjoy more than just a hobby.

At the beginning of the year, I also struggled with turning in work on time and sometimes didn’t give it my full effort. I didn’t realize how important deadlines were in a real publication because before all I had was my instagram page. But this class taught me how to manage my time and stay more organized especially. I’ve learned to start early, not wait until the last minute, plan ahead, and always try to improve my work. Wether that be talking with Ian or Allyson. The more effort I put in, the more I saw my work get better—and be posted more, that felt really good.

There were definitely some challenges along the way. I almost missed a few deadlines and sometimes submitted work that I knew could have been much better. But I didn’t let those mistakes hold me back. I used them as chances to learn and improve by talking with the staff. I’ve grown a lot by learning to take positivce and negarive feedback and push myself to do better on the next issue.

What really made this class special, though, was surprisingly how much fun I had. Whether we were out taking pictures, getting cookies, or just joking around in the back, there was always something funny going on. It never felt like just another class—it felt like being part of a creative and fun team. I looked forward to coming in every day and waiting for the next sport day and working with people who were supportive, intelligent, and funny.

Most of all, this class has taught me the value of kindness and teamwork and trying to make things fun. Everyone had different strengths, and we all helped each other, especially in the back. When we work together and support one another, we can create something really good—and have a fun time doing it.

I’m really proud of how much I’ve grown in this class, not just as a photographer, but as a person. I’ve learned so much about the newspaper process, had a lot of fun, and made memories I certainly won’t forget anytime soon.