Express-News photographer shares perspectives with students

Students in the journalism and photography program at this college were warned Wednesday about the long hours and lack of stability involved in being a professional photographer.

"The hours shift and change, and when something happens, you've got to go," said Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News photographer, to a group of about 15 students from COMM 2311, News Gathering and Writing 1, and COMM 1316, News Photography 1.

"I find out about events and people, and then I go photograph them. I'm always on the lookout," she said.

Krantz, who won this year's Star Photographer of the Year award at the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors convention, spoke about her career as a professional photographer in Florida and San Antonio.

Photography allows you to get to know people in a more intimate way, she said. "It's the best job in the world."

Krantz has covered stories overseas and around the country. After Hurricane Katrina, she followed a family affected by the hurricane for several weeks. She lived with them and photographed the family and their neighborhood.

But she told students that there are big stories right here in town. She mentioned that she likes writing about refugees in San Antonio, as a way to tie San Antonio to the larger world.

"After a while, I realized that what matters is what the story is, not where it is. I can cover important stories right here in San Antonio," she said.

Krantz spends her free time searching for more stories to capture on film and often works more than 40 hours a week. Normally, she has three assignments to complete in a day. After that, she works on projects of her choosing. Her current project is about students at Sam Houston High School. After her workday ends, she goes to the high school to photograph students and their events.

She encouraged photographers to go beyond the basic assignment and seek out stories that matter to them.

"You can just accept assignments or you can make your own and control your own destiny," she said. "I'm doing stories that I believe in."