My name is Aaron Self...

“As a professional multimedia journalist, I strive to create compelling content I am proud to put my name on. Over the years I have honed my skills as a photographer and videographer; while also learning to write, direct, perform, manage and speak before audiences. I am always willing to acquire new techniques while perfecting old ones. Media has been my passion and it’s wonderful my passion is my career.”

Education: 

  • Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Kent State University

  • Concentration: Photojournalism

  • Minor: Biology

Work Experience:

Baldwin Wallace University, Photography and Videography Coordinator

(August 2023 - February 2024)

  • Conceptualized, planned, and executed photo and video shoots to develop engaging and authentic visuals aligned with the university’s brand identity and messaging. Utilized advanced photography techniques and equipment to click compelling images of campus events, student activities, faculty members, and facilities. Created professional-quality videos, including event highlights, promotional videos, interviews, and educational content, and revitalized photography and videography content library for meeting post-COVID internal and external utilization demands. Modernized university website with a dynamic homepage video exhibiting campus culture and beauty, leaving a lasting positive impression. Bolstered brand visibility and outreach by curating content tailored to the university website and social media platforms.

Bethel University, Photographer, Videographer and Social Media Manager

(August 2020 - August 2023)

  • Spearheaded photography and videography initiatives as primary content creator for a private university in McKenzie, TN, while staying current with industry best practices and trends. Created editorial calendars and content schedules to ensure consistent and timely delivery of content across social media channels in line with university events, initiatives, and campaigns. Established and maintained a well-organized multimedia repository, housing 30K+ readily accessible images and video clips for immediate utilization. Generated engaging videos for social media such as a stop-motion video for demonstrating giveaway products driving increased participation in promotional campaigns. Designed and distributed five compelling photo books showcasing campus life, aiding recruitment efforts, and elevating the university's image at promotional events.

The Canton Repository, Photographer and Social Media Manager

(September 2019 - April 2020)

  • Shaped high-quality visual content for print and digital platforms; including coverage of a diverse range of community events, sports activities, general news stories, features, and long-form projects via management of the newspaper’s website and printed version. Applied journalistic principles and ethical standards to capture compelling images that accurately represented the news and events covered by the organization, while adhering to deadlines and editorial guidelines. Doubled followers and tripled engagement in two months by transforming the paper’s Instagram presence, strategic content curation, and consistent posting schedule.

Raise the Roof Entertainment, Photographer, Videographer and Warehouse Manager

(September 2018 – October 2019)                                   

  • Captured photo and video content for the company’s marketing and social media accounts. Created photo galleries of corporate events for various companies we have contracted with. Organized and maintained all equipment within the company warehouse for transportation to job sites across northeast Ohio for various functions. From weddings to live broadcasts we provided a range of services for live events with in-person supervision to maintain quality and oversee successful productions

Kent State University Communications and Marketing, Photographer

(August 2015 – May 2018)

  • Collaborated with team members to coordinate coverage, identify photo opportunities, and integrate visual storytelling with editorial content across print and digital platforms. Captured university and athletic events for both internal and external dissemination while working closely with faculty, staff, and students on various projects. Contributed to the maintenance of an online archive housing photographs clicked by university and student photographers.

ALERT and African Impact, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Photography and Videography Intern

(June 2016 – August 2016)

  • Photographed the community, research and lion conservation projects run by ALERT (African Lion and Environment Research Trust), African Impact and Lion Walks. Photographs used for their social media, wildlife species database and scientific studies. Created videos that documented volunteer life and the lion conservation projects for promotional use

Kent Stater, Kent State University, Photo Editor and Photographer

(January 2016 – December 2017)

  • Edited and toned photographs for the newspaper’s website, KentWired.com, and printed in The Kent Stater. Designed and edited visual content for the weekly photo story feature page “Perspectives”. Assigned to general news and sports coverage of the university and Kent Ohio area

Technical Proficiencies:

  • Adobe Creative Suite | Apple & Windows Systems | Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, and Panasonic systems | Social Media & Web Publishing Platforms

Areas of Expertise:

  • Video Production & Editing | Public Speaking | Directing & Scriptwriting | Journalistic & Creative Writing | Studio Lighting & Audio Capture | Content Creation | Archives Management | Public Relations | Project Management | Video Editing | Photography | Branding | Color Theory | Visual Storytelling | Image Retouching | Social Media Platforms Management | Digital Asset Management

Professional Activities:

  • Captured photo and video content of physician assistant students providing medical aid to rural communities in Belize. (February 2022 & February 2023)

  • Captured photo and video content of university students volunteering abroad. Also helped create a virtual study abroad course for dual-enrollment high school students who cannot travel due to financial reasons but still want to experience another country and culture. (October 2021)

  • Worked on and published a collaborative documentary project on fishing communities in Ghana. (March-April 2017)

  • Planned and executed a team project on the recovery efforts for Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys after the major media spotlight had moved on. (September 2017)

  • Contributed to photo and video archives as well as created research project content with a wildlife conservation group called ALERT that operated in Zimbabwe and Zambia.(June 2016-July 2016)

  • Documented scientific research projects conducted by university students across Costa Rica. (December 2015-January 2016 & December 2017-January 2018)

Honors:

  • Eagle Scout, 2013

  • Eddie Adams Workshop class of 2017

  • Best Athletic Homepage Banner, NAIA, 2022

  • Finalist, SPJ Region 4 Mark of Excellence Awards for Best Feature Photography, 2018

  • Award of Excellence, Ohio News Photographers Association, News Picture Story, 2017

  • Award of Excellence, Ohio News Photographers Association, Feature Picture Story, 2017

Personal Activities/Services:

  • Volunteer with the Perry History Club (2018 - Present)

  • President of Kent State University Photography Club (2017)

  • Board member of Kent State University Ornithological Club (2016-2018)

  • Board member of Herrick Conservatory & Sustainability Club (2016-2018)