2024 NSPA Photojournalist of the Year Portfolio
Photo by L. Vostrejs
1. Bloodshed at the Border
This photo was taken in the weeks following the Hamas attack on Israel, at an interfaith candlelight vigil held at Mitchell Park in Palo Alto. I wanted to take photos of someone mourning to convey the message that we were going through this event together, bridging our community's divides. Using a portrait lens and the right framing, I got this photo.
Photo by L. Vostrejs
A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS. Residents gather at an interfaith vigil at Mitchell Park Bowl on Oct. 21 to light candles and mourn the loss of lives in Israel. Following the lighting, members gave speeches and sang songs of unity and peace. “It was probably the saddest day I’ve had in a long time,” junior Ben Levav said. “I’ve just been thinking about the war a lot and it has affected me a lot. I couldn’t think about school or anything else.”
2. Compensation Conundrum
With over 300 teachers getting together for a rally before the Palo Alto Unified School District meeting, it was the perfect opportunity for photos. I wanted to share with our community the teacher’s side of the story. After seeing teacher Erin Angell walk back and forth with a speakerphone, and using a high shutter speed for depth of field, I captured how loud the rally was through a photo.
Photo by L. Vostrejs
INVEST IN EDUCATION, NOT IN RESERVES. Palo Alto Educators Association teacher representative Erin Angell yells 'Invest in education, not in reserves,' as members of PAEA hold a rally over an impasse on salary negotiations with the district on April 23. “Educators cannot afford to live here, and they have long commutes,” PAEA President Teri Baldwin said. “It takes a toll and we don’t want to lose them to districts that pay higher. We want to attract and retain the best educators for our students.”
3. Football Season Opener
This was the first football game that I shot and after getting lots of action shots, I decided that I needed to get emotional reaction shots that could tell a story. I stood on the sideline where all of the players went when there was a turnover. Using a 70-200mm lens, I set up my framing with the sunset in the background, as well as the scoreboard. After junior Roman Jacobs got a tackle ending the other team's possession, I got this shot.
Photo by L. Vostrejs
PROUD COACH. Special teams coach Brandon Byer hugs junior defensive end Roman Jacobs after Jacob's defensive tackle led to a turnover. Varsity football defeated Fremont 28-10 in the season opener against Fremont on Aug. 25. “I'm happy with how we played,” head coach Malcolm Davis said. “We're looking forward to next week, but it's gonna be a little bit tougher. We're feeling pretty confident right now.”
4. Quadchella
After seeing a message from our student body that they were hosting a performance on the main quad, I picked up my camera to take photos. I saw history teacher Grant Blackburn's vibrant expressions and passionate guitar playing, so I set myself up to get him with enough lead room and a good depth of field.
Photo by L. Vostrejs
ROCK OUT! Economics teacher Grant Blackburn plays guitar in a band including english literature teacher Richard Rodriguez, yearbook advisor Brian Wilson and senior Max Rabbitt. Associated Student Government hosted Quadchella featuring live music from students and teachers for Spring Spirit Week during lunch on Wednesday, March 27. “It’s fun to watch live music, it’s something that’s not as popular now,” Rabbitt said. “Playing live is always the most fun part, you get to show off your music and your skills.”
5. Basketball Senior Night
While attending our basketball senior night, I found a corner right under the hoop. Using a 70-200mm lens and a low aperture, I caught this photo with dramatic lighting and cool leveling as junior shooting guard Jorell Clark rose above the Los Gatos wildcats.
Photo by L. Vostrejs
SWISH. Junior shooting guard Jorell Clark makes a floater from the free throw line as four Los Gatos players try to guard him. Boys varsity basketball lost 47-34 to Los Gatos High School during senior night on Tuesday, Feb. 13. “(The team) fought every possession of the game,” head coach Jeff LaMere said. “In the first half, we couldn’t execute and we couldn’t get shots to fall. But the kids played hard. And that’s what we want and that travels into the playoffs.”