*Extensive resume updates to come!* – 5/1/11
I have spent more than a decade behind the lens, studying intently in college and on my own. In addition, I spent several years in a newsroom working with top-caliber photographers as a page designer, learning from all angles how to tell a compelling and effective story with photography. I continue to voraciously learn to this day, and never intend to let up.
Experience
JAMIE MALDONADO PHOTOGRAPHY (2006-Present): Photographer/designer/marketing. Collaborating with models, musicians and others in creating a compelling and attractive visual presentation with digital SLRs, film and other media, including post-processing using Adobe’s Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5. Extensive work with lighting gear and location work, in addition to some design work, copy writing and a frequently updated blog and Twitter profile, in addition to using other social media tools.
KILGORE COLLEGE STUDENT ASSISTANT (2009-2011): Student assistant/photographer. Worked for the photography department at Kilgore College while attending class, also worked extensively for the trio of award-winning student publications. Assisted with technical issues in the digital and traditional photography labs, as well as assistant journalism students with a variety of issues. A jack-of-all-trades for renowned advisers Bettye Craddock and O. Rufus Lovett. Graduating in May 2011.
LONGVIEW NEWS-JOURNAL (Dec. 2003-Oct. 2005, April – Aug. 2006): Page designer/copy editor (full-time): Responsible for designing pages, including the front page, section fronts, feature pages and inside pages, editing copy, writing headlines, participating in photo editing and some slotting duty for Longview, Texas’ 28,000 daily, 35,000 Sunday, daily newspaper. Also served as a reporting and design intern during the summer of 2001. I was intent on staying long-term for my second full-time stint here, but unfulfilled hiring agreements and an unprofessional threat by a boss lead to my premature departure. I received an apology from the publisher at the time (who has since retired), which I can verify if needed.
THE DENVER POST (October 2005-March 2006): Temporary, full-time position, Page designer — Worked on local, wire and sports pages, including inside pages, open pages and section fronts (including the metro cover). Produced several quality pages daily while on multiple, tight deadlines. Communicated extensively with editors, reporters and photographers to accomplish goals in a high-pressure metro newsroom environment. Planned and slotted the entire A section wire for Mondays, in addition to other duties. Also worked in the sports section, and on stocks pages throughout the week. Returned home after my contract was fulfi lled.
COLUMBIA’S RESTING PLACE (2003): Picked by Daily Sentinel publisher to designed the 100-plus page book published by The Daily Sentinel and The Lufkin Daily News to commemorate the Columbia tragedy. I did this for nearly two weeks while working overtime at The Daily Sentinel, and while still working on my campus newspaper and attending class.
THE DAILY SENTINEL (August 2001-November 2003): Page designer/copy editor (full-time): Page 1A and feature designer for Nacogdoches, Texas’ 9,000 daily, 10,000 Sunday daily newspaper. Also edited copy, helped with photo editing duties and wrote headlines, cutlines and anything else. Front page from Feb. 2, 2003 was seen on CNN when Aaron Brown was showing front pages covering the space shuttle Columbia disaster. The Sentinel was at the heart of the event, and I designed the page, in addition to others, while helping coordinate dozens of national press members flowing in and out of the newsroom. I did all of this while working at the SFA newspaper and attending class full-time. I left the paper to return home after completing my degree at the university.
Full experience detail viewable upon request, or download the PDF up top!.
Awards & More
Won 50+ collegiate journalism awards in a variety of disciplines in state and national competitions, including Columbia Gold Crown awards. Part of many more staff awards, such as multiple “Best of show,” and best overall awards throughout college. I have also won a couple of professional awards.
Photography published in Texas Monthly (May 2011), Charm Magazine (cover, September/October 2010), JPG Magazine (issues 11 and 18), Sole Collector (2008) and Ride Magazine (1999). Web credits include a multitude of web sites for bands and musicians, and some advertising for the same. Click here to see my published work.
Won a Texas Intercollegiate Press Association live front page design competition in 2003, against top designers from most or all of Texas’ student publications. The contest was set for 90 minutes, but I had to participate in another event, so I finished my work in less than half an hour, while everyone I observed had just begun to layout their pages. This was my second win in three years for this particular contest.
Recipient of several scholarships throughout college career. More detail available upon request.
Skills
Proficient in Adobe’s Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom. I can also work with Illustrator, and I learn software with great ease. Also very experienced with QuarkXPress, and newspaper related programs such as Hermes, and NewsEdit Pro.
Experienced professional photographer.
Copy editing skills, writing skills, and a strong grasp of Associated Press style. Strong grasp of news writing, and of writing in general.
Experienced in and understanding of new media trends, including blogging, social media.
Also experienced with sound and video editing, as well as basic Web design.
More than a decade of experience with Apple computers, software and products. I am also proficient with Windows PCs.
Education
2011: Certificate in Photography from Kilgore College in Kilgore, Tx.
2003: Graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. Minor in art/graphic design.
2001: A.A. in Journalism from Kilgore College in Kilgore, TX.