Despite becoming a finalist for a Hearst Photojournalism National Championship and winning numerous other awards in collegiate photojournalism, Class of 2020 graduate Jack Weaver was not always a photographer. In fact, he only seriously started photography in his junior year of high school.
“I joined Digital Media Staff on my first day of freshman year and I quickly became very involved with the program. I was doing video initially, and for the first two years, I actually didn’t do any still photography,” Weaver said.
However, he was quickly thrown into photography due to extenuating circumstances.
“[In] my junior year, the main photographer, Marlo May, who was the yearbook editor-in-chief, graduated. No one really knew how to take photos after that, so she left me a little bit of advice. I took that [advice], taught myself on YouTube, went to some photography camps and just started learning from experience.”
And Weaver’s step into uncharted territory has led him to growth, success and his place in the University of Kentucky at its student-run newspaper: The Kentucky Kernel.
“I was so used to doing student journalism at Lafayette and I absolutely loved it, so when I went to college, it was just so natural that, of course I’m going to get involved [at Kentucky]. I actually got involved over summer, before I ever showed up at Kentucky. My first assignment for the student newspaper was my first day of freshman year,” he said.
I started my college experience with an assignment. I was trying to navigate college during COVID-19 but also with an assignment and a deadline on my first day of school. That was interesting.
— Jack Weaver, Class of 2020
During his time at Kentucky, Weaver has shot at Madison Square, the Kentucky Derby and traveled to 13 states, but a highlight comes from shooting Kentucky football.
“Anytime I’m shooting Kentucky football, it’s really exciting. Like when Kentucky beat Florida at Kentucky, and all the fans rushed the field and then burned couches on a nearby street, that was crazy, because I literally photographed the game, grabbed my stuff after the game, sprinted a couple of blocks to where they were burning couches, shot all the action there and went back to my house and was up editing until 4 a.m. [These are] moments that I will remember for a very long time.”
Despite fond memories on the job, Weaver’s time as a journalist has not always been smooth, at times making him question his commitment to shooting.
“In the past couple of years, I’ve experienced a lot of burnout, where I pushed myself probably further than I should. I got to the point where I almost didn’t want to do it anymore. I think that’s pretty common in the journalism industry. Luckily, I’ve had good people who support me during those times to encourage me to keep going and find joy in shooting again,” Weaver said.
The moments like shooting a football game are exciting, but when you shoot your fourth baseball game in one week, you just get burnt out and you don’t even have the motivation to keep going.
— Jack Weaver, Class of 2020
In addition to surrounding himself with good people, he also attributes his drive to surrounding himself with gifted people.
“What motivates me to keep going is surrounding myself with very talented people. Following other people’s work, both photographers I have had the opportunity to work with, but also those I just know from seeing their work motivates me,” Weaver said.
Also, his passion for photography has helped him move past rough patches.
“I would say my passion for photography revolves around capturing moments that other people find exciting, interesting and intriguing. I find it so exciting to be able to experience a moment through my camera and then have a result and be able to show that moment back again, basically to freeze time and forever be able to capture that moment,” Weaver said. “Some of my best memories from both my time at Lafayette and at Kentucky have been thanks to shooting for the student newspaper.”
While Weaver isn’t involved in The Kentucky Kernel anymore, he still freelances in Lexington, Kentucky.
“Student newspaper gave me so many awesome experiences, including the opportunity to network with other photographers in the area and other photographers around the county, which helped form connections and freelance opportunities.”
While his work is in Kentucky, his start and inspiration came from Missouri.
“I owe the Student Publications program at Lafayette all of the credit when it comes to setting me up for my career. If it weren’t for Nancy Smith and the program here. I may have never gotten into cameras, videography and photography.”
Due to his experience stepping out of his comfort zone, Weaver recommends all students do the same.
However Weaver also knows that sometimes stepping out of comfort zones doesn’t work.
“You’re gonna do stuff that you don’t love to do and that’s ok. You can cross that off,” he said.
When we needed a photographer to step up I was like ‘I’ll try that, I’ve never done that.’ That opened so many doors for me.
— Jack Weaver, Class of 2020
While stepping out of comfort can be hard, Weaver also says that it’s worth it.
“Step out of your comfort zone every once in a while. High school is a great time to discover yourself. But if you’re stuck in your comfort zone and not willing to branch out, you’re gonna pass up the opportunity to find what it is you love to do,” Weaver said.
