Welcome to Gabrielle Gruszynski’s photojournalism gallery. The images showcased here are a selection of work from her “Intro to Photojournalism” course in the Fall 2024 semester. Through her lens, Gabrielle seeks to capture compelling moments and tell meaningful stories that offer a unique glimpse into the world around her.
Richard B. Russell Special Collections Library Fall 2024 ‘Free the Tapes’ Event
Jan Hebbard (left) and Claire Watcen (right) warmly greet guests at the Richard B. Russell Special Collections Library fall 2024 ‘Free the Tapes’ event on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Athens, GA. The event allows for members of the Athens-Clarke County community to submit old VHS tapes and have them digitized into modern film. Athens-Clarke County community members gather in the Richard B. Russell Special Collections Library auditorium to watch a special screening of their newly digitized home videos on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Athens, GA. The screening brings laughter, nostalgia and shared stories as decades-old memories are played on the big screen for the first time.
A Glimpse into Life at Lake Oconee, GA
Kris Hopkins methodically rearranges a display of Enewton bracelets at Soirée At The Lake, Lake Oconee, GA, on October 19, 2024. Hopkins, a sales associate, keeps a watchful eye over the jewlery, as the are the boutique’s most stolen item of this calendar year. Amber Russell, a bartender at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Oconee’s outdoor restaurant ‘Gaby’s’, confidently pours an espresso martini for a patron on October 19, 2024. Russell jokes that the foam of the cocktail reminds her of human saliva, a reference to an inside joke she shares with her coworkers.
One Face, One Story: The Internal Musings of Koda Kelley
Koda Kelley’s love for books runs deep. Reading around 300 books a year, Kelley has found more than a job at Walls of Books- it’s a place where she can connect with others who share her passion for literature. She revels in the community of readers willing to indulge in her most “unhinged” literary musings. Kelley’s world isn’t limited to the pages of a novel, however. On the weekends, she trades books for the roar of engines, photographing race cars at the track. Her white Pontiac Firebird is her pride and joy, symbolizing her passion for cars and photography. From engaging with drivers to snapping shots on the track, Kelley has turned her weekend hobby into a side hustle. Whether immersed in a novel or capturing high-speed moments, Kelley has found balance in her two greatest loves: literature and cars.
Rooted in the Wild: Kelly Garrison’s Care for Georgia’s Native Creatures
Kelly Garrison, a zookeeper at Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens, GA, prepares “bear scatter,” a mix of fruits, vegetables and pellets, on October 17, 2024, to feed the zoo’s resident bears. This mix is designed to promote natural foraging behaviors while providing balanced nutrition.Garrison gently interacts with a red-footed box tortoise at Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens, GA, during her daily animal care routine on October 17, 2024. This moment highlights the trust and care she builds with the animals she oversees.A groundhog named Ochre munches on a piece of lettuce at Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens, GA while being held in a standing position by Garrison on October 17, 2024. Kneeling to match her height, Garrison smiles, sharing a lighthearted moment with the curious animal.Kelly Garrison steadies a snake at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Athens, GA, on November 4, 2024, as it undergoes an exam for a mass near its tail. The visit underscores her dedication to ensuring the health of even the zoo’s most elusive residents.DJ, a 21-year-old American black bear, gazes patiently while waiting for his breakfast at the Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens, GA, on November 13, 2024. As the oldest and only male of the zoo’s three bears, DJ is a beloved and wise figure who stands out at Bear Hollow.
