On July 4 I will walk away from my vocation of the past 13 years to focus on my freelance photography career.
During my tenure at the Harvard Press I’ve had the pleasure of holding a front-row seat to the history of our town. As anyone who has worked as a photojournalist knows, it’s a job that offers constant challenges—bad lighting, brutal weather conditions, and chaos. I’ve watched buildings burn down, medical emergencies, and of course, the infamous ice storm of 2008. Just as often, the job tosses you joy, blue skies, state sports championships, Jamaican apple pickers, and the opportunity to photograph a U.S. President. I have had the unique experience of photographing a child’s preschool graduation, and then 13 years later, photographing their high school graduation. I even photographed a week-old baby who is now a student photographer for the newspaper. I have felt honored to record the history of our town. It is a job that I have loved. And it is a job I will now leave behind.
When I signed on to being part of a new startup, the Harvard Press, I made it quite clear that I would chip in any way I could but that I was really here for the photography. It’s been a joy to be the eye of the town—though I look forward to watching the next blizzard or hurricane from the warmth of my house without thought of going out into it unless I so choose.
What I’ll miss the most is the people I’ve had the privilege of covering for the paper. From babes in arms to 100th birthday parties, I’ve covered residents of all ages. I’ve watched your children grow up before my eyes, and I’ve watched good friends die before their time. It’s been a great honor to be let into the joys and tragedies of this community in such an intimate way. It has changed who I am and how I view the world at large. It has made me more present and more aware of the beauty that surrounds us. And it makes me ever aware of how quickly our lives move and change.
I’m leaving the Press photography in the capable hands of Tim Clark and a stable of freelance photographers. I’m sure you’ll treat them as kindly as you have me.
I leave my layout duties to Jen Manell and Cia Boynton, my ownership duties to Worth and Sue Robbins, and the editorship to John Osborn. I will miss working with such a caring and capable crew that works tirelessly to bring you the news each week.
I look forward to being a mere spectator again, though I’ll miss my front-row seat at every event. Adieu, my friends! Thank you for letting me into your lives in such an intimate and meaningful way. And if you know anyone who needs a good photographer …
Lisa Aciukewicz has been a co-owner and the principal photographer at the Harvard Press from 2006 to 2019. She can be reached at lisa.a2z@gmail.com or through her website: www.lisaa2z.com. You can follow her on instagram @lisa_a2z.
From left: Laura Andrews, Lisa Aciukewicz, and Worth Robbins hold the metal plate of page 1 of the first issue of the Press at MassWeb printers in Auburn in 2006.
A sampling of Lisa’s photos from the pages of the Harvard Press:
