My name is Kris, and I’m a work-a-holic.

(Oh, that’s terrible, you say.)

I’m not proud of it. I’ve battled being a work-a-holic my entire life. When I chose a career in photojournalism, I knew I was feeding my bad habit. News is a monster with a huge appetite. It’s demanding and unpredictable. I love every minute of it.

Is it REALLY that much of a problem?

(Yes, that’s a problem, you say.)

I want to live a balanced life, but I always seem to tip the scale. First, I’ll stay late on assignments to get the shot I want. Then, I’ll shoot on a day off to for a special project. Add to that the hours that I like to spend researching stories, and before I know it, I’m spending way more time with my cameras than I do with my husband.

(Her husband must be a really patient guy, you say.)

I’ve tried to figure out why I do it. I guess in part because I feel it’s expected of me—you are only as good as your last photo. And I’m not complaining. I never thought this was an 8-5 career. I’m there to cover the news no matter how inconvenient. I’m just like any other photographer, right?

(Right, you say.)

I might not love the inconvenience of a 2 a.m. phone call to cover spot news, but there is something about it that keeps me going. Adrenalin, creativity, enthusiasm, or the thrill of seeing the world first-hand.

Those are all very good reasons, but the bottom line is, we can get more wrapped up in documenting other people’s lives than we do spending time in our own worlds.

(Maybe she has a point, you say.)

That’s my real dilemma. Although I love my work, I know that my work-a-holic habits have inconvenienced the people that I love most–

–the friends I call at the last minute and can’t join for beers because of spot news.

–the family that I can’t see at Thanksgiving because I’m covering a meal for the homeless.

–my husband who gives me “the look” but never gets mad when I say I want to run in to the office for a little bit on my day off.

Those are the people that my work-a-holic habits affect. Those are the people that I need to stay balanced for.

(Geez. I’ve done those things before, you say.)

So, I’m still working all this out. Still, after 8 years, trying to figure out how to keep a balance between life and work. When I asked my husband what his opinions were on my working habits, he just smiled and shook his head. “You are always right on the edge,” he says. “But quite often you tip more one way, than the other.”

He means I tip towards work, and he’s right. He worries when I do that.

And I really want to make sure that after all those hours of work, there is still a person/place to come home to. So we’ve started having more conversations about when I’m going off the deep end. We haven’t come to any big revelations about what is the “right” balance. I’m not sure there is any concrete work-to-family ratio table we can refer to. But the conversations about the subject have helped us figure out what feels right for our lives.

So, what about you?

(My life is pretty balanced, you say.)

Maybe you aren’t like me at all. But if you want the real truth, ask your husband/wife/significant other if THEY think your life is balanced. Their answers might surprise you. The conversation will be good for you.

Because they are in this field too, aren’t they? They just aren’t having all the fun that we are.

Posted by kwentzgraff as President's Column at 11:02 AM EDT

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September 24, 2006 - The July 2006 Wisconsin News Photographer Association monthly clip contest winners gallery for July 2006 is now online.

Access the JULY clip contest gallery.

Posted by Administrator as Clip Contest Update at 8:19 PM EDT

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September 22, 2006 - The State Bar of Wisconsin established the annual Wisconsin Gavel Awards competition is looking for entries for this year’s competition.

Two types of awards are presented: The Golden Gavel and the Certificate of Commendation. Golden Gavel Awards are presented for outstanding contributions to public understanding of our system of law and justice. Certificates of Commendation are presented for entries judged to be noteworthy examples of public service messages.

All entries for print, radio, television, or photography must be received by September 30, 2006. Address all entries to:

Attention: Kathy Sturz
Wisconsin Gavel Awards
State Bar of Wisconsin
5302 Eastpark Blvd.
Madison, WI 53718-2101

Any television or radio station, newspaper, magazine, or publisher may submit entries. Electronic publications also are eligible.

Entries may relate to the work of the bench, bar, law enforcement agencies, corrections institutions, or to the law itself.

Only materials first published, broadcast, or presented between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006 will be considered.

Visit their Website Here for more information and their registration form.

Posted by Administrator as WNPA Report at 12:46 PM EDT

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September 18, 2006 - Mark Hertzberg, lower right in the blue shirt, covers a train accident Friday, September 15, 2006 in Mount Pleasant, Wis. in which an adult female and a four-year-old girl died in the crash. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Posted by Administrator as WNPA Member Pics at 11:05 AM EDT

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September 18, 2006 — The Associated Press is reporting Monday that the U.S. military in Iraq has imprisoned an Associated Press photographer for five months, accusing him of being a security threat but never filing charges or permitting a public hearing. Here is an excerpt of the story:

The U.S. military in Iraq has imprisoned an Associated Press photographer for five months, accusing him of being a security threat but never filing charges or permitting a public hearing.

Military officials said Bilal Hussein, an Iraqi citizen, was being held for “imperative reasons of security” under United Nations resolutions. AP executives said the news cooperative’s review of Hussein’s work did not find anything to indicate inappropriate contact with insurgents, and any evidence against him should be brought to the Iraqi criminal justice system.

Hussein, 35, is a native of Fallujah who began work for the AP’s Iraq bureau in September 2004. He photographed events in Fallujah and Ramadi until he was detained on April 12 of this year.

Here is a link to the full story, as published Sunday on Foxnews.com Full Story

Posted by Administrator as WNPA Report at 9:18 AM EDT

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September 13, 2006 - Derek Montgomery (capital times) and Joe Koshollek (GRIT)
will do anything to get on TV. Even cherry-pick the background
of live TV news on election night. (John Maniaci/WSJ Photo)

Posted by Administrator as WNPA Member Pics at 11:46 AM EDT

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September 12, 2006 - Where were you when you heard the news of the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001?

Share your thoughts and memories with others as we all reflect after five years.

Posted by Administrator as Webmaster's Column at 11:23 AM EDT

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September 12, 2006 - Clip contest results have been updated to include July results.

Mark Hoffman Journal Sentinel 645

Corey Wilson Press Gazette 610

Dan Lassiter Janesville Gazette 460

John Maniaci Wisconsin State Journal 415

Evan Siegle Press-Gazette 400

Dan Powers Post-Crescent 315

Mike De Sisti Post-Crescent 300

Kevin Poirier Kenosha News 275

Gregory Shaver Journal Times 195

Steve Kinderman Leader-Telegram 185

Bruce Halmo Sheboygan Press 175

Marc Larson Press-Gazette 170

Terry Mayer The Week 160

Kirk Wagner Post-Crescent 160

Sam Castro Sheboygan Press 150

Tom Loucks Daily Tribune 140

William Glasheen Freelance 130

Brad Rupert Press Gazette 130

Al Hoch Janesville Gazette 105

Sharon Cekada Post-Crescent 90

Michelle Stocker Capital Times 80

Patrick Ferron Post-Crescent 60

Craig Schreiner Wisconsin State Journal 50

Ron Kuenstler Community Newspapers, Inc. 50

Mike De Vries Capital Times 50

Mike Roemer Freelance 40

Kristyna Wentz-Graff Journal Sentinel 40

Michael King 40

Posted by Administrator as Clip Contest Update at 9:20 AM EDT

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Staff Photographer Tom Lynn is in New York City for the fifth anniversary of 9/11 and will be updating his blog throughout the day.

Check out Tom’s coverage: http://www.jsonline.com/blog/?id=185

Posted by Nathan Pier as WNPA Report at 9:29 AM EDT

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September 7, 2006 - Hello Journalist, I bring you good news today. Your work has been chosen as some of the
finest produced by Wisconsin photojournalists for the month of July 2006.

The photos were judged by the staff at The Daily Camera in Boulder, Co.

This is what they have decided. Congratulations. Thanks for keeping the WNPA
strong.

John Maniaci, WNPA Clip Contest Chair

Spot News
1. John Maniaci–Beltline Car Accident
2. Michelle Stocker–UW Policeman Vanderbloemen swamped
3. Steve Kinderman–Father and sons on flooded Clairemont Ave.
HM. Kevin Poirier–Jason Mehalko consoles his girlfriend

General News
1. Terry Mayer–Inmate Carol Waters reflects
2. Sam Castro–Ber Lee places incense
3. Mike DeSisti–Nezira Zolota pumps her fists
HM. Patrick Ferron–Skyler Evers Changes Oil

Feature
1. Kirk Wagner–Upside down teenagers
2. Michael King–Kenyetta Fiffer brushes hair
3. Kevin Poirier–Jacob Hansen under umbrella
HM. Evan Siegle–Keenan Patterson on swingset
HM. Evan Siegle–Weston Malcore slam dunk

Portrait
1. Evan Siegle–Jack Bancroft tips his hat
2. Patrick Ferron–Nick Van Dyke with globe
3. Terry Mayer–Steve Sorg in the Stearman cockpit

Sports
1. Corey Wilson–Bill Hall leaps over Phil Nevin
2. Steve Kinderman–Jerrod Collier falls over handlebars
3. Kirk Wagner–Lynndale Ihm and Sarah Wetts hug

Feature Multiple

1. Mark Hoffman–The story of fireworks
2. Dan Lassiter–Curfew Crackdown
3. Kevin Poirier–Retired caregivers Jerry and Vera Martin

Posted by Administrator as Clip Contest Update at 7:15 PM EDT

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