Finding stories to tell in your own community

One thing that always inspires me is the tremendous potential for good, meaningful work to be found in my community.

Finding rich photojournalism assignments in my home town means I have never needed to travel elsewhere. It’s always surprising what I end up tackling — it’s not the sort of photojournalism stories that are typically associated with small town U.S.A. (Actually, the Springs is a small metropolitan area of 465,000.)

One of the stories I stumbled into early on in my career was the "War on Terror." In the aughts, Fort Carson was home to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the 43rd Area Support Group. I was never embedded with these troops in Iraq, but I was embedded when I visited the rear detachment at the base.

I photographed the departure of the soldiers to Iraq, purple heart ceremonies, the arrival of returning solders and the memorial ceremonies for soldiers who died.

The memorial ceremonies were held at the Soldier’s Memorial Chapel. It’s especially challenging to photograph the memorial ceremonies because of the restricted access. Still, I was able to make pictures I found meaningful and historical. 

I eventually found a home for these pictures. First, they were published in the Independent, as a standalone photo story. Then, together with the Indy, I sponsored an opening reception and gallery exhibit of the work in a local restaurant.

The show was also a fundraiser for The Home Front Cares organization, a nonprofit designed to help families with deployed loved ones. It was a treat to see the work being exhibited, and I was surprised by the support that the exhibit received.

Covering this story was something that I never expected to do in my own home town. To show how a national news story touches lives of residents who live here is a meaningful part of my job. 

When I look back at these images it reminds me of a lesson I keep learning over and over again. For journalists everywhere sometimes the biggest stories happen right outside your front door.

Sean Cayton is a wedding photojournalist of 19 years and operates a successful, award-winning wedding photography studio in Colorado Springs. He's also an award-winning photojournalist. Sean is happily married to the love of his life (also his business partner) and is father to three beautiful children. When he’s not working, Sean can be found outside flying kites with his kids, hitting golf balls or casting a fly rod to hungry trout.