Changes ahead
The past three-months have been a whirlwind of NBA Playoffs, high school states and the much awaited birth of baby Dominic (see here).
For those of you who don't know, I have resigned at the paper and am now located in Indianapolis, IN where I plan to continue shooting as a freelancer (on top of a 9-5...which is bizarre to think of having a 9-5 "normal" person schedule). I'm really looking forward to this move, but of course it's bittersweet. I know I've told a few people LeBron is leaving so I am.....but the truth is the right opportunity came up for me and the time was right for me.
Photographing Akron for the Beacon has been such an important time for me in more ways than one. As a photographer, I think I finally fit comfortably into my sense of style here. As a person embarking on their first full-time job, I feel like I couldn't have been luckier to work at a place where it felt like you're working with a family.
I always tell people who don't know Akron that it is such an admirable city. I didn't know much about it when I was younger but it unfortunately got a bad rep from a lot of people I knew. I'm so lucky to now have depth here---to know how strong and wonderful this city is.
It's full of so many diverse and creative people trying to make this a better place for everyone. I'm sad to see it go-----but it will always be part of home.
Thank you to everyone who believed in me here in Akron. I felt appreciated by community members and my coworkers and that has made all the difference.
Here are some of my last shots working for the Akron Beacon Journal:
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James does a handshake with JR Smith prior to Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Leah Klafczynski/Beacon Journal/Ohio.com)
Nicole Canova during the runway walk portion of the competition at the Akron Pride Drag Battle & Show on Friday, April 20, 2018, at Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio. (Leah Klafczynski/Beacon Journal/Ohio.com)
Kyle Graham, 16, of Akron does a no-hander up a ramp on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at Akron Skate Park in Akron, Ohio. (Leah Klafczynski/Beacon Journal/Ohio.com)
Elana Dent, 6, of Akron holds a sign while speakers protest against federal immigration practices that separate children from parents caught entering the country illegally on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at the corner of Main and Mill Street in Akron, Ohio. (Leah Klafczynski/Beacon Journal/Ohio.com)
Bill Neely, a Santa from Pennsylvania, winces as he bites into a lemon to raise awareness for leukemia at Santa Day on Saturday, May 13, 2018, in Medina, Ohio. Around 65 Santas came out to Medina Square and took part in the lemon challenge. (Leah Klafczynski/Beacon Journal/Ohio.com)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith celebrates a three-pointer against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday, May 21, 2018, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cleveland Indians center fielder Rajai Davis slides safely into second while losing his helmet against Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar in the seventh inning of Opening Day on Friday, April 6, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and Cleveland Indians center fielder Rajai Davis celebrate their win after a double-play ended the ninth inning of Opening Day against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, April 6, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James is fouled by Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, April 18, 2019, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The foul was later changed to a flagrant 1. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers 100-97.
Kaleigha Diamond and Alexis Milan enter the elevator to take the main stage of the Akron Pride Drag Battle & Show on Friday, April 20, 2018, at Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio.
Jenn wipes tears of joy from her face while holding her new baby Dominic after he was born on Friday, March 16, 2018, at Summa Hospital in Akron, Ohio. Dominic weight 5 lbs 15-ounces with a clean health bill at birth. Two days after his birth he was admitted to the Akron Children's Hospital NICU in Akron City Hospital where he was given morphine to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Will admires his son as he lounges in his arms at home on Sunday afternoon.
Will and Jenn are prayed over by members of their church at a surprise baby shower at Middlebury Chapel on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Akron, Ohio. "He's the greatest gift God ever gave Jenn and I. Actually having him, even with the wreckage of our past--us being addicts and people believing in us, and not looking at us for who we were but as for who we are now," Will later said.
