Richard Sitler
Summary
Extensive experience working in the areas of communications (verbal, visual and written), community development and youth development. Internationally experienced demonstrating a track record of cross cultural understanding and a practical world wise perspective.
Experience in recruiting, talent development and personnel management. Always strives to be detail-orientated, efficient, methodical and amiable. Possesses a high level of integrity. Detail-oriented, organized and meticulous employee. Works at fast pace to meet tight deadlines. Enthusiastic team player ready to contribute to company success.
Dedicated Photographer exhibiting true love for craft, art and science of photography process. Seasoned professional at using camera lenses, controls and composition to capture stunning results. Consistently enhancing creative insight through projects and professional workshops. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Photo editor and senior photographer
The Herald Bulletin
11.2022 - Current
- In charge of all aspects of visual journalism for this CNHI newspaper, and also Madison Life & Style Magazine
- Assigns photographers, fulfills photo assignments
- Photographs news events, sports, and etc
- Works closely with other editors to provide quality visuals for publications.
Freelance/contract photographer
Central Indiana
04.2018 - 08.2022
- Worked for different clients including Jolesch Photography, Alliance Magazine, The National Junior Tennis League and The Daily Reporter.
Staff Photojournalist
The Southern Illinoisan
01.2014 - 03.2018
- Part of a two-person photo staff covering the region of Southern Illinois for six-day a week newspaper and online website
- Photograph a variety of daily assignments from sports to general news
- Also complete long-term projects for in-depth reporting
- Responsible to create content of photo essays and stories for weekly The Southern Exposure photo page
- Involved with producing content for The Southern web and social media presence.
Video Documentation Specialist
Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition
- As a Peace Corps Response volunteer served to help agencies under the umbrella of the CVC to develop documentation and educational videos
- These videos highlighted best practices, research findings, HIV prevention messages, advocacy for vulnerable populations and fund raising
- These videos accelerated the ability for agencies to educate targeted audiences
- Helped improve the delivery of information about services to vulnerable populations
- Worked to strengthen the capacity of the CVC and partner agencies to document their work to improve their ability to reach targeted populations and to formulate future objectives
- Trained and acclimated counterparts in video production techniques
- Acted as a consultant to identify best practices in relationship to the needs of the agencies.
Photographer, Administrative Assistant and Generalist
Skyline Camp and Retreat Center
- Documented camp activities and assisted in producing marketing and promotional content
- Published a booklet with pictures and text for the campers
- Assisted Executive Director and Program Director where needed
- Acted as an integral part of the summer camp staff and as a mentor to camp counselors
- Served as a camp counselor at Skyline during the summers of 1986 and 1987.
Writer and Researcher
Fodor's Travel Guides
11.2012
- On contract for prestigious travel guidebook publication
- Researched and wrote reviews about resorts, restaurants, and tourist attractions for guidebook and website
- Made all travel arrangements and contacts with entities involved.
Photographer and Writer
Other Places Publishing Worldwide
- Conceptualized and proposed project to produce a photographic book documenting the everyday lives of Peace Corps Volunteers
- Fund-raised necessary money to support project
- Traveled to 25 countries on five continents and photographed volunteers in diverse settings
- Edited photographs, assisted with design and layout and wrote text for book
- Published 168-page book titled Making Peace with the World, Photographs of Peace Corps Volunteers
- Promoted and marketed book.
Multimedia Specialist
The Herald Bulletin
- Photographed assignments and produced and edited videos
- Generated photo galleries
- Formulated and wrote stories
- Produced content for web, daily paper and Madison magazine
- Responsible for posting content to Herald Bulletin website
- Conceived and produced weekly special series - photos and stories called 'Positive People' in which everyday people were profiled who had positive influences on the community.
Curriculum Coordinator
Community Development Action Committee
01.2006
- Worked for the Ewarton Community Development Action Committee (ECODAC) involved in the formation of a life skills center to benefit unemployed young adults
- Drafted a curriculum for the center while researching and analyzing the needs of the target subjects
- Facilitated training of fifteen trainers
- Wrote proposal that successfully implemented a partnership between the U.S
- Organization, Pedals for Progress and ECODAC
- The grant resulted in a container of thousands of bicycles and tools being donated to ECODAC.
Photographer and Writer
The Banner
- Chief photographer for community award-winning newspaper that features totally local content and investigative journalism
- Produced photography stories, essays, and long-term photography projects including editing pictures, writing stories, and completing the layout and design of photo pages
- Worked with team to proof paper for publication
- Assisted in production and distribution of paper
- Increased visual coverage of community events and improved public perception of paper.
Chief Photographer
The Noblesville Daily Times
- Organized the photography department for new daily newspaper
- Procured camera equipment, planned systems for workflow of photographs for publication and created methods for making photography assignments and archiving digital images
- Generated imaginative photographs for news, feature, and sports assignments
- Edited photographs for final publication
- An integral member of the staff in the creation of new daily newspaper in the fastest-growing county in Indiana.
Youth At-Risk Advisor
U.S. Peace Corps
- Served a poor rural all-age school to transfer skills in computer and information technology, literacy, life skills, and conflict resolution
- Started after-school computer club for over thirty high school students
- Tutored five students to learn to read by introducing innovative learning methods.
Contract Photographer
The Times
- Photographed assignments for daily metro three-zoned newspaper covering the capital of New Jersey.
Photography Editor
The Citizen
- Supervised photography staff
- Responsible for all aspects of photography department, including ordering of supplies and working with editors to determine photography coverage
- Scheduled photographers and created new system for assigning photos resulting in fewer missed assignments and scheduling conflicts
- Improved overall use of photography in the newspaper
- Trained editors in layout and design
- Created photography internship program.
Staff Photographer
The Marion Star
- Recruited to The Star personally by the chief photographer to photograph essential assignments.
Staff Photographer
The Republic
- Photographed spot news, feature, and sports assignments, including photo feature pages
- Wrote text to accompany photo feature pages
- Also provided art including glossy cover photographs for the following special publications: Parent Magazines, Discover Columbus, and Smart Living
- Produced insightful high-quality documentary photography.
Chief Photographer
Piqua Daily Call
- Managed photography department
- Determined photography coverage
- Assisted with layout and design
- Maintained lab and inventory
- Responsible for pre-press duties of outputting color separations using imagesetters
- Worked closely with editor in moving paper from paste-up to pagination
- Inspired, coached, and led talented young photographers through college intern program.
Education
Maine Photographic Workshop
Mountain Workshops
Ohio University Viscom
Salt Center for Documentary Studies
B.A. History -
Blackburn College
Skills
- Exemplary people management skills
- Experience with at-risk youth
- Exceptional communication skills
- Compassionate and active listener
- Analytical thinker
- Print and electronic media
- Exceptional problem solver
- Dedicated team player
- Photo editing
- Adobe Photoshop
- Video Editing
- Digital Photography
- Advanced Camera Skills
Accomplishments
2012 Peace Corps Writers' Award for best photography book of 2011 for Making Peace with the World, Photographs of Peace
Corps Volunteers
Recognition
- 2012 Peace Corps Writers' Award for best photography book of 2011 for Making Peace with the World, Photographs of Peace Corps Volunteers
- 2011 Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service nominee
- The Herald Bulletin Newsroom Employee of the Month for June 2008
- 2017 Lee Enterprises President's Awards for outstanding journalism, innovation, and spirit. Excellence in news: the news award recognizes outstanding achievement in any aspect of print and online journalism, from reporting and writing to photography, video, graphics and presentation. The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale, Illinois for their investigation of issues plaguing the city of Cairo, Illinois and the Alexander County Housing Authority. For more than three years, the newsroom published numerous stories and editorials outlining issues of mismanagement that led to families living in substandard and unsanitary conditions. As a result, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development acted earlier this year to address many of these issues. Molly Parker, Isaac Smith, Richard Sitler, Alee Quick, Les Winkeler, and Tom English contributed to the reporting.
Affiliations
- National Press Photographers Association
- University Photographers' Association of America
- National Peace Corps Association
Timeline
Photo editor and senior photographer
The Herald Bulletin
11.2022 - Current
Freelance/contract photographer
Central Indiana
04.2018 - 08.2022
Staff Photojournalist
The Southern Illinoisan
01.2014 - 03.2018
Writer and Researcher
Fodor's Travel Guides
11.2012
Curriculum Coordinator
Community Development Action Committee
01.2006
Video Documentation Specialist
Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition
Photographer, Administrative Assistant and Generalist
Skyline Camp and Retreat Center
Photographer and Writer
Other Places Publishing Worldwide
Multimedia Specialist
The Herald Bulletin
Photographer and Writer
The Banner
Chief Photographer
The Noblesville Daily Times
Youth At-Risk Advisor
U.S. Peace Corps
Contract Photographer
The Times
Photography Editor
The Citizen
Staff Photographer
The Marion Star
Staff Photographer
The Republic
Chief Photographer
Piqua Daily Call
Maine Photographic Workshop
Mountain Workshops
Ohio University Viscom
Salt Center for Documentary Studies
B.A. History -
Blackburn College