PixiPort:Photo Journalist Renee Falcke Press Photographer

PixiPort:Photo Journalist Renee Falcke Press Photographer: "Meeting Ren?e Falcke
Interview by Mia
First, some minor clarification between a press photographer and a photojournalist: A press photographer works for a newspaper; whereas, a photojournalist presents a news story primarily through photography with a supplementary written copy. I've noticed in the few weeks I've been corresponding with Ren?e Falcke that I've used both terms interchangeably and wondered which title adequately fit Ren?e. After interviewing Ren?e, whom I've come to know on a more personal level I realized neither description really suited her whole being. For one, journalism often demands sensationalism and capitalizes on 'newsworthy' events. But what is considered newsworthy to some becomes questionable to others when ratings are the primary force behind a media's intent to sell. For true syndication, newsworthy is the headline grabber, an immediate response to a situation without much regard for the human-interest story. The story comes later in the form of flash bulbs, microphones shoved in people's faces, and answers jotted down hastily to inane questions such as, 'how did you feel about losing your entire family?'--Well, just how would anyone feel under such tragic circumstances?! As a viewer I am appalled by this degrading approach to stripping the person of his/her dignity. Not far behind are tabloids with their gossip columns and tell-all approach. So I felt reluctant to classify Ren?e as a photojournalist. Ren?e, however, has no reservation about how she perceives herself:"