Photographer of the Year Portfolio
This is my portfolio for the 2025 IHSPA Photographer of the Year.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my work.
(click on the image to view up close)
Role Model Return

While he returns the ball, two underclassmen watch Anthony Medina '25 play in the finals. On Sept. 27, Medina won the first West High pickleball tournament at the West High tennis courts.
Behind the shot: As the print photo editor, I often receive unique and sometimes unusual requests for feature stories. One such request was to capture the influence of pickleball's sudden surge in popularity at West High. Attending the school’s first-ever pickleball tournament, I was on the lookout for a shot that could tell this story. While watching senior Anthony Medina compete in the finals, I noticed two underclassmen intently watching him play. To emphasize the growing impact of the sport, I used the rule of thirds, aligning Medina’s torso and right arm in the frame to position the freshmen as the focal point, highlighting how pickleball has captivated a new generation at West High.
Spotlight Asp[e]rations
![Spotlight Asp[e]rations](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/98520e_ca87110854014f76bb8438d4c8712498~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_400,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Spotlight%20Asp%5Be%5Drations.jpg)
Belting into his microphone, Eli Asper '25 performs a solo during the Good Time Company’s show, “Homecoming.” Various groups of West High students performed at Hancher Auditorium for the annual Winter Swing Show Dec. 13.
Behind the shot: Another print request took me to shoot the Good Time Company (GTC), West High’s Show Choir, as part of a story celebrating their 50th anniversary. The writers were highlighting the choir’s legacy, and designer Anna Song wanted to showcase both old and new photos to illustrate the continuity of GTC’s history. To capture this, I composed a shot that conveyed the timeless desire to perform, framing Eli Asper ’25 within the group of other performers. The lighting posed a challenge, but with my trusty DSLR, I kept the ISO high and made a slight compromise on the shutter speed, ultimately capturing the shot that matched my vision.
Spinning into Tradition

Squatting down, a University of Iowa Chinese Dance Club member performs an umbrella dance. The umbrella dance is a popular folk dance that originated during the Han Dynasty in China. Students from the university and West High came together Feb. 2 at the Englert Theatre for the annual Lunar New Year Gala, which brought the Iowa City community together to celebrate the year of the snake.
Behind the shot: When assistant online photo editor Lea Abou Alaiwa reached out to me about starting a photo story on the Lunar New Year Gala, I was thrilled by the opportunity. As someone passionate about engaging my community through photojournalism—and considering the cultural diversity of Iowa City—I knew this was the perfect chance to highlight a vibrant part of our community. As vivid lights danced across the stage, I spotted a student performer from the University of Iowa and decided to capture the moment. Although new LED lights are immesurably difficult to shoot in, using the rule of thirds, I positioned her off-center as she gracefully squatted mid-performance, allowing me to focus on the subject. Throughout the shoot, I learned more about the significance of Lunar New Year, which, in retrospect, is one of the most rewarding aspects of photojournalism: not just telling stories, but immersing myself in the culture behind them.
Breaking on Beat

While leading the snare section, Oliver Miller '25 breaks his drumstick. Miller and the drumline performed a series of cadences after halftime Oct. 18 at Trojan Field.
Published in the 2024-2025 Trojan Epic yearbook on page two.
Behind the shot: This shot was nothing short of a miracle. I had just finished performing our marching show during halftime and rushed to grab my camera to capture a few final shots of the drumline. After crouching under the bleachers of the student section, right in front of the drumline, I suddenly heard a sharp percussive thwack. Turning to Oliver Miller ’25, the snare section leader, I watched as his stick snapped in half — and, by sheer luck, I managed to catch the moment just in time. The odds of a stick breaking during a performance are incredibly slim, let alone capturing it in a photo. Looking back, I’m grateful for being able to preserve rare moments in time.
Butterfly Breakthrough

Coming up for a breath, Alex Rouwenhorst ‘27 swims the 100-yard butterfly, placing second in 59.23 seconds. The Trojan Bolts defeated
Waterloo West 130-40 at the Coralville Recreation Center Jan. 21.
Published Feb. 28, 2025 in the February issue of the West Side Story
Behind the shot: For my first time photographing swimming, I was apprehensive, confused and very wet. Unfamiliar with the sport — my expertise lies in cross country and track — I wasn’t sure where to position myself or how the heats were structured. However, after seeking guidance from the West High coach, I found a spot near the closest lane. Despite usually relying on manual focus, I was able to capture West High swimmer Alex Rouwenhorst ’27 just as he broke through the water, marking a moment of clarity in my otherwise uncertain experience.