Ed. — Archived from the Sunday, Nov. 17, print edition.
Jack Shepherd has a firm grip on his steer during the Virginia Beach 4-H Livestock Show & Sale on Friday, June 3, 2022, at the Creeds Ruritan Community Complex in rural Virginia Beach. [David B. Hollingsworth/The Princess Anne Independent News]BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE
BACK BAY — One of the hardest things about of shuttering The Independent News next month is I’ll pick up a camera less often. As photographers go, I’m a decent writer, but I’ve enjoyed shooting pictures over the past decade.
I’ve often been the only photographer I can afford, but I’ve tried to make images that capture subjects fairly and well. Still photography is an art in the mind of some, even those shooting with their phones. But photojournalism is something more and, to me, more meaningful.
Done right, it is both timely and timeless.
Photojournalism aims to take ethical images of news events and feature subjects in ways that are creative and truthful. When I wrote for newspapers, especially The Virginian-Pilot, I worked with some of the best photojournalists in the country. They taught me a lot about reporting by exemplifying patience, discipline and craftsmanship.
Still photography remains important in journalism, though staffs at local news organizations are much smaller due to shrinking newsrooms, shifts to online outlets, demand for video and the false belief, in some cases, that any reporter with a phone can pick up the slack.
But I valued photography as part of our storytelling at The Independent News. I’ve also enjoyed working with gifted photographers from time to time, and I’ll mention three people who have contributed so much to our paper. I worked with all of them years ago at The Pilot, and they helped this little paper with their gifts because, I suspect, they were being nice to me. I don’t mind pity when it leads to great work.
Before moving with her family, Vicki Cronis-Nohe captured many memorable images in the newspaper’s early years, even bringing worthwhile stories to me. Though she is truly a gifted artist, she is a journalist and a storyteller first.
Spotted in the buffet line at the Pungo Strawberry Festival’s annual press conference and VIP luncheon on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 — one of the many attendees in strawberry print. [Vicki Cronis-Nohe/For The Independent News]Bill Tiernan, whose work appears in this edition, generously helped out capturing portraits and feature images, including for this edition’s center spread about the recent Beach Ride in Sandbridge and a portrait of Mayor Bobby Dyer on the front page. Tiernan has a remarkable eye, but that’s because he has a great heart, too.
Spectators stand near Buzzard Neck Road in the Creeds area of Virginia Beach on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, as they watch antique tractors plow a field at Bonney Bright’s farm during Plow Day. [Bill Tiernan/The Princess Anne Independent News]And David B. Hollingsworth, time and time again, tackled any story I sent his way with grace and a keen understanding of storytelling and the people who read our paper. I’ve taken fewer photos in recent years, and Hollingsworth set the standard for our visual report with stunning images of past Plow Days, virtually every kind of feature story or news portrait and our coverage of the annual 4-H livestock show.
I’ve included one of his 4-H images at the top of this page. It’s one of my favorites because I think this photo encapsulates what we tried to do with our little paper over the years.
Nat Warren, a longtime men’s tennis coach at Norfolk State University, was celebrated for his service to NSU in 2023. The Nat Warren Tennis Center at the campus will bear the name of the Virginia Beach resident, who also helped establish the women’s program at NSU. [David B. Hollingsworth/The Princess Anne Independent News]The best local photojournalists tell the truth about our communities and people in Virginia Beach with an image, and their craft lets any subject shine through.
It’s a beautiful thing to speak with a photograph.
Emma DeGraaf, 8, of Virginia Beach waits for her chance to ride during the annual Beach Ride supporting the Virginia Beach Police Mounted Patrol on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Sandbridge. At left in the image is Emma’s mother, Anna DeGraaf. At right are Jennifer Slan of Chesapeake and her horse, Danny Boy, who Emma would eventually ride during the annual event. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, photographed at The Founders Inn on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, won reelection in the 2024 local elections. [Bill Tiernan/The Princess Anne Independent News]Cheryl Molinet hugs Bernie Mustin on June 29, 2018, during a goodbye party in her honor at Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Virginia Beach. Molinet is retiring after 20 years as a homeless outreach worker for the city. Mustin is one of many Molinet has helped transition off of the street and into housing. [Vicki Cronis-Nohe/The Princess Anne Independent News]By getting a Santa hat adjusted just right, Mary Pinardi makes sure a young singer looks their best during the 14th annual Pungo Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Virginia Beach. [David B. Hollingsworth/The Princess Anne Independent News]City Councilmember Barbara Henley, seen at her family farm in Pungo, will return to represent the Princess Anne District on the Virginia Beach City Council. Henley won reelection on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. [Vicki Cronis-Nohe/The Princess Anne Independent News]Jimmy Browne of Blackwater stirs a big batch of whole-hog BBQ while Pat Mallon pours in the sauce during the 2015 Creeds Ruritan BBQ. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Eirmoni Lewis of Virginia Beach with her children Elijah Lewis,8, Taylen Lewis,7, and her 4 year-old daughter Kali Lewis as they walk down the line of 12 crosses for the victims of last Friday’s mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center. Lewis brought her children to the memorial along Princess Anne Road on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. [Bill Tiernan/The Princess Anne Independent News]
