EXPERIENCE

I currently work for the University of Vermont, but since 2015 I’ve owned and operated my own photography venture, JGD Photography, traveling the country to find true moments of beauty in landscapes and weddings and engagements.

Currently, I work for the

UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

  • Research, write, and edit engaging stories focusing on university-level research like cultured meat, snow and climate change, bio-reactors, algal blooms, and more for university and national audiences

  • Serve as a first point of contact for local, state, and national reporters to connect with university researchers

  • Develop university partnerships to source content and feature material

  • Compile, design, and create graphic and promotional materials for university and external audiences

  • Photograph events, students, faculty, and staff to promote and visualize university strategic initiatives

  • Develop, update, and maintain websites for university’s Office of Research and divisional offices

I’ve also owned and operated my own photography venture since 2015

JGD PHOTOGRAPHY

  • Embark on nationwide road trips to photograph national parks and landmarks across the country

  • Hike vast mountain ranges among other terrain, exposing myself to all weather elements to capture the perfect photograph

  • Actively develop a unique visual signature in nighttime photography of the Milky Way galaxy and celestial objects

  • Captures passion and love through family portraits and wedding photography

From 2019 to 2021, I wrote for and produced

THE MERCERSBURG JOURNAL

  • Independently produced weekly newspaper for distribution of 20,000 readers

  • Contributed to growth in readership by 20% during first eight months of tenure

  • Wrote and researched local events, programs, and town engagement

  • Actively engaged with local and state-wide sources for content creation

  • Utilized Adobe Creative Cloud to create and edit engaging advertisements and layouts

From 2018 to 2021, I worked in the political world

2018

TIM KAINE FOR US SENATE

  • Conducted ground-level opposition research of Virginia local and state officials

  • Researched and curated content used in major publications including the New York Times, CNN, and the Washington Post

  • Instrumental in creating new sources of information utilized for advertising, social media, and campaign content

  • Assisted with voter engagement and outreach through multiple social media platforms

  • Supported the organization and distribution of election materials

August 2019 - November 2020

AMERICAN BRIDGE 21ST CENTURY

  • Amplified voices of marginalized communities most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Interviewed women of color in healthcare on their experiences working in metropolitan areas during the pandemic

  • Compiled local sources in Michigan for distribution in Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania

  • Conducted ground-level opposition research of Kentucky local and state officials

  • Edited content for social media distribution

Western Illinois University
BA | Political Science & Communications | 2017

EDUCATION

SKILLS

Content Creation

  • Photography

  • Videography

  • Graphic Design

  • Writing

  • Editing

Adobe Creative Cloud

  • Photoshop

  • InDesign

  • Illustrator

  • Premier

  • Lightroom

Programming + Web Management

  • HTML

  • CSS

  • Drupal

  • SquareSpace

  • Wordpress

Microsoft

  • Word

  • PowerPoint

  • Outlook (but I don’t like it)

  • Excel

  • Sharepoint

  • Teams

  • Sway

Social Media

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • Reddit

  • Snapchat

  • YouTube

  • TikTok

(Not a skill, but Bailey Girl is quite cute, right?)