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PHOTOJOURNALISM
This collection features a selection of images I captured while working as a photojournalist at the Columbia Missourian. Some of these photographs have been published in the newspaper, while others remain unpublished but equally meaningful.
Max Crozier, right, 15, drives the ball past defenders Zahky Buckner, left, 15, and Ta’Vorian Prince, 15, center, during the 4th Annual CoMo Night Hoops 3-on-3 tournament on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at Lange Middle School in Columbia. The annual event, hosted by the Columbia African American Business Alliance, encourages youth to stay active and engaged through sports.
Brothers Noah Bonno, left, and James “Anthony” McAllister, right, load a queen-sized mattress into their truck outside a store on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 in Columbia’s Second Ward. “We came to pick up a mattress and box spring,” McAllister said. “I moved here last year to be closer to my kids. I love Columbia. t’s a good place for family.”
Brooks McDonald, 3, throws a lasso while sitting on a saddle during the Kiddy Roundup on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at 511 Optimist Drive in Ashland. The Kiddy Roundup followed the parade offering children’s activities such as stick horse racing, face painting and pony pictures.
Mike Burden, left, and McKenzie Ortiz plant a tree during a community greening event on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at the southwest corner of Garth Avenue and Sexton Road in Columbia, Mo. “It was a great event,” Ortiz said. “I’m really happy with the turnout and the community coming together to make the neighborhood a better and healthier place to live.” The tree planting was led by the Ridgeway Neighborhood Association in partnership with local organizations.
Noah Garriott, 10, locks in with determination before his run during the Mid-Missouri Soap Box Derby on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. It was Noah’s first time competing in the event, following in his father’s footsteps as a former racer.
Deb Jewett smiles while holding a handmade sign and flag during the No Kings rally outside the Cooper County Courthouse in Boonville, Mo., on Saturday, June 14, 2025. “I’ve been frustrated with so many things going on and crying over. I’ve got to do something. If this is it, then this is it,” Jewett said.
William Foster of Fort Zumwalt East clears the bar during the boys pole vault on May 24, 2025, at a high school track and field meet in Missouri. “I put in four years of work and it’s starting to actually pay off,” he said.
Jolie Russell paints a monarch butterfly on a child’s face during the Butterfly Festival on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia, Mo. “I absolutely love it,” said Russell, a Missouri Master Gardener with the Heart of Missouri chapter. “It’s important to have a family event that really brings both joy and education to the Columbia area.”
A butterfly rests on a leaf on during the Butterfly Festival on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia, Mo. The event featured interactive exhibits, conservation education, and hands-on activities celebrating pollinators and native species.
A chalkboard sign welcomes participants to the tenth annual Bikes & Brews event on Friday, June 11, 2025, at CycleX in Columbia. Hosted by Local Motion, the event encouraged participants to ride or walk a downtown route with stops for microbrew samples, aiming to promote sustainable transportation and community connection.
Jalae Brown, 9, Lance Wallace, Amir Brown, 4, and Aaron Patrick wait together for the fireworks show on Friday, July 4, 2025 at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia, Mo. Patrick said he brought his children to enjoy the event and spend time as a family.
Teenagers ride in the rain during the 2025 Criterium at the Columns on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. The event, part of the Missouri State Championship series, brought together amateur and professional riders for a day of competitive racing on a 1-mile closed course through the University of Missouri campus and surrounding streets.
Chris Easley shops for fireworks with his 6-year-old son, Amir Easley, on Saturday, June 30, 2025, at the Safety Saturday event hosted by the Spirit of ’76 Fireworks Tent in Columbia. “His eyes got big and he’s like, ‘Oh, that’s the big tent,’” Chris said. “I think it’s great for him. I can teach him firework safety, and the fire department is here to talk about how to conduct yourself when using fireworks.”
Rae Habel, left, a University of Missouri student, looks at handmade jewelry while shopping with her friend Lauren Anderson , on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Bluestem Crafts in Columbia, Mo. “This is my first time coming in here, and I love it,” Habel said. “Everything in here is so unique and so beautiful.”
From left, Taein Kim, 11, Yuseop Shin, 9, and Wongyeom Shin, 11, watch LEGO trains run along the tracks during the Train Show and Open House on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at Rock Quarry Park House in Columbia, Mo. Taein and his father, who arrived in Columbia from South Korea last December, attended the event with friends to explore and enjoy the interactive train displays.
Abbey Clark offers her steer Stu some water while preparing for the livestock show on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the Boone County Fair in Columbia. Clark has been raising Stu since winter, getting him ready for the show and Friday’s auction. “I like how he looks this year,” Clark said. “I’m pretty optimistic for the fair and the sale and all of it.”
Lucas Barnes, 6, holds the ham he entered in the auction during the annual Ham Breakfast on Saturday, July 20, 2025, at the Boone County Fair in Columbia, Mo. Lucas’s ham sold for $3,000 — a moment that held special meaning for his family. “His daddy just passed away,” said his mother, Belinda Barnes. “They’ve worked so hard all year… these are country hams, that’s what was for breakfast in country homes. So you get to experience what they made with their hands.”
J.T. Montague, 14, leads his cow Marel in preparation for the livestock show on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the Boone County Fair in Columbia.“I’ve raised Marel for almost a year now, so letting her go is kind of tough,” Montague said. “But showing is something I’ve loved doing since I was eight. It’s just part of who I am now.”
Attendees fill long rows of tables on Saturday, July 20, 2025, at the Boone County Fair Ham Breakfast in Columbia, Mo. The annual event brings together community members of all ages to enjoy locally cured ham, celebrate youth exhibitors, and support agricultural traditions through the following ham auction.
Soapbox derby cars line up in rows during the Mid-Missouri Soap Box Derby on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in downtown Columbia, Mo. Each uniquely painted and sponsored car awaited its turn to race downhill, with more than 50 young drivers competing for a chance to advance to the national finals in Akron, Ohio
Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Klein rests his hands on his desk while discussing his priorities on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the Columbia Public Schools Aslin Administrative Building in Columbia. “This year, we’re focusing on making CPS the best place to work and the best place to learn,” Klein said. “If we aren’t ensuring that our staff are well taken care of and have a supportive environment, we won’t have the foundation we need to build everything else.”
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