When photojournalist Tiffany Esters came to speak to the ECHO journalism campers, two teams of campers wrote stories about her visit.

Junior journalists Noah Lodes, Diego Dugue de Estrada, Anderson Take and Raphael Maurice with guidance from ECHO counselors Colin Shue and Greg Frazier

Traveling photojournalist Tiffany Esters visited a suburban high school in Missouri’s journalism camp. She talked to the participating students about what her day-to-day career brings her.

Ester’s career as a photojournalist began in high school where she volunteered for Louie Magazine. Then, she joined the team full time as a photo editor for two years. She then played the role of head editor for one more year.

Since then, she’s been working professionally in photography and just recently has decided to strictly focus on sports related media.

The camera equipment she uses the NIKON D700 (strictly for photography) and uses the NIKON D800 for video and pictures.

In response to a student asking her about how she feels about the constant travel, Esters said “That’s my favorite part.”

Esters has worked with football star Peyton Manning, and Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas.

“Even people who aren’t know by the masses, just getting to hear their stories and tell them through photography is pretty awesome,” Esters said.

One worry she expressed was how the career of photojournalism is becoming more freelance and joining more with the digital world.

“If you’re passionate about it, take that L for a moment and stick with it,” Esters said.

In response to a question from a camp counselor about advice for future journalists, Esters responded, “Just enjoy the moment.”

Journalist tells campers about photojournalism

Junior journalists Marcie Buescher, Iris Rycenga and Therese Schuster with guidance from ECHO counselors Riley Mullgardt and Trinity Madison

Tiffany Esters started taking photos with a Kodak camera her father gave her on a road trip.

“Photographs help the story be more accurate,” Esters said. She said that people need to have a picture in their mind when they don’t know what’s happening.

Esters’ favorite kind of photos to take are sports photographs. One time she had to climb up the rafters of the Tennessee basketball stadium in order to take a photo of all the decorations, without a harness.

Esters has collaborate with other people and to be very flexible. She says it is easier to do photos when she works with a designer.

Esters doesn’t get to see her family much.

Before she was a photographer, Esters was an assistant to the director for office of development at University or Tennessee and a photo editor.  She’s been a photographer for about 15 years.

Esters has access to places that normal people wouldn’t have access to, such a locker room. She uses an AA pass, also known as an All Access pass.

“I have worked with Payton Manning, Clarence Thomas, Candace Parker, even people not known. Just getting to capture their story through photos is pretty amazing,” Esters said. One of the pros is being able to share with the world. She likes to interview people in order to know them better.

While Esters likes taking photos, she does not like to be in them.

Esters said the average human see 5,000 images per day.

Esters used to keep track of where and when she took her photos through a blog.

Esters plans to take only sports photographs in 2018. She wonders about the future of photojournalism with the fact that many people now have access to their own platform with their own views and opinions.

“I personally feel that the pros out way the cons,” Ester said about her job. Eventually she wants to take photos of sports at the Webster Groves School District.