Address:
132 Xander Drive
greer, South Carolina 29650

Email: lauren.fleming2016@gmail.com

Mobile: 8036226359 Office: 8644360903

Job Description:

I am a nightside photojournalist. I’ve been in news for almost four and a half years. I began as a part time editor in the late spring/early summer of 2019. I was a part time editor for about a year and then started shadowing to hopefully become a photojournalist. I did that for a few months before becoming a full-time editor/photographer a year and ten months into my career. In December of 2021 I became a Monday-Friday full time photographer. I changed stations in august of 2022. I remained in the market and stayed on the same shift. I was really cool to be able to stay in the market I love telling stories in

Number of Years Experience: 2.5

Organization: WYFF/HEARST/GREENVILLE, SC

Personal Statement:

I am a nightside photojournalist. I’ve been in news for almost four and a half years. I began as a part time editor in the late spring/early summer of 2019. I was a part time editor for about a year and then started shadowing to hopefully become a photojournalist. I did that for a few months before becoming a full-time editor/photographer a year and ten months into my career. In December of 2021 I became a Monday-Friday full time photographer. I changed stations in august of 2022. I remained in the market and stayed on the same shift. I was really cool to be able to keep up with my contacts I made while shooting on the weekends.

My favorite aspect of this job is being able to be there for people and tell their stories. But honestly, being there for people is the most important thing. A few weeks ago we had an officer killed while saving someone’s life. We were at the memorial all day, capturing video and chatting with people who were comfortable. There was a time when I was the only person there and a couple walked up. I was getting video and the woman said something to me about how he was the first officer killed in the line of duty in that department for over 50 years. Then I looked at the man and could tell he was very upset. He looked at me and said it was their grandson that was killed. I hugged them and held them as they sobbed. I am so grateful I got to be there, not as a journalist or a photographer, but there as a human. That is the greatest gift of this job, the people. I want to be able to tell someone’s story better and more effectively and creatively.

I would really love to attend this workshop. I love what I do so much and I strive to be better everyday.
I’m so thankful for the mentors I’ve gained and they recommended this workshop. Since I’m nightside, I cover a lot of council and board meetings, and I was to learn more ways to share those important stories to the community in an engaging way. I feel I have the basics down, and I think this workshop would help me be more creative in my story telling. I love going to workshops and meeting the best of the best, getting critiques and meeting others with the same drive to improve our craft. I just attended one that happened to be in my market. I learned so much and want to try to implement everything I learned this weekend on Monday, but I know that’s not possible, but I’m so inspired to try and tell better stories! I think getting the hands on and intensive training from the best of the best will help push me to the next level of storytelling.

I love what I do, and I have heard about the workshops for a while and was so excited when I started learning about them. But once I saw the price, I knew I could never afford to go on my own. I’m currently paycheck to paycheck, so the workshop isn’t attainable with the cost along with the flights, a place to stay, and with a rental car to drive around for stories.

In my critiques this past weekend, Chris Hanson pointed out some great things, and some suggestions. I feel that I can have a hard time visualizing the story from start to finish. I have most of the elements, but I have a hard time getting them all in the right place. Each conference I’ve attended has opened my eyes to things I would have never thought of to do, so I think having the hands on, intensive time with people who know this business in and out who are so passionate would be a game changer for me and my future in journalism.

Video Story One:
https://www.wyff4.com/article/south-carolina-coach-makes-return-after-heart-transplant/44778747

Video Story Two:
https://www.wyff4.com/article/new-partnership-to-bring-ballet-to-more-children-south-carolina/44737131

Video Story Three:
https://www.wyff4.com/article/new-partnership-to-bring-ballet-to-more-children-south-carolina/44737131