Guest Speaker: Sam Craft, Award Winning Photojournalist

The Paris News earns awards

Sam Craft named Star Photojournalist of the Year

Posted: Monday, April 7, 2014 11:13 am

Paris News chief photographer Sam Craft was named the top community newspaper photojournalist in Texas for the second year in a row, and The Paris News once again was recognized as one of the top community newspapers in the state at the annual Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Contest.

I am pleased to announce that Sam Craft, award winning photojournalist will be speaking to our class on Friday, April 11th.  I think you will find him to be engaging, interesting and inspiring.  He and his work inspires me to aspire to be a better photographer. Much thanks to Sam for taking the time to drive to Commerce to talk to our PHO 111 class and share his journey in photography.

I asked Sam to share with us a little of his story about becoming a photojournalist.

Sam Craft

I grew up in a small town in Texas and have been around the East Texas area all my life.  After graduating from high school I attended Tyler Junior College where I majored in computer networking before making a faithful decision to switch to journalism.  After that I interned at the Tyler Morning Telegraph as a photographers assistant and later as a part time photographer before moving to Nacogdoches to attend Stephen F. Austin State University.

At SFASU I joined up with the student newspaper “The Pine Log” and was introduced to some great colleagues that became even better friends.  In my time at SFA I covered division I sports, got my feet wet with freelance assignments for the Houston Chronicle, documented the space shuttle Columbia disaster for USA Today, worked with MTV for a fraternity house give away and other general assignments.  After earning a degree in Photojournalism and a minor in art I moved to Paris for a staff job at The Paris News.

My time here has been eventful to say the least.  I've seen race riots, crimes of all sorts, national and state championships won and lost and everything in between. Documenting peoples lives is my passion and I'd like to think that it shows in my work whether it be my editorial assignments, sporting events or weddings.

Awards include:

• 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 – Texas APME Class A Star Photographer of the Year; 
• 2006, 2010, 2011 – North East Texas Press Association Photographer of the Year;
• Numerous awards from the Texas APME and the North East Texas Press Association for spot news, feature and sports and
• TIPA awards from my college days.

The link to Sam's website is www.samcraft.com.

Students:
You might want to take a few moments before class and do a little bit of research about what a being a photojournalist entails.  Take a look at Sam's website to get an idea of his style and aesthetic. I ask that you please prepare at least three questions to ask Sam in class on Friday.