An Evening with Jake Bacon: Celebrating Three Decades of Community Journalism
Jake Bacon, the long-serving chief photographer for the Arizona Daily Sun, has captured pivotal moments in northern Arizona for over 30 years. His work as a journalist has immortalized both the joyous and the dire, underscoring the profound impacts of community journalism. This evening, Flagstaff’s Orpheum Theater will host “An Evening with Jake Bacon,” where he will share his favorite images and the narratives behind them.
The event kicks off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff. For those interested in learning more, an extended interview is available at azdailysun.com or in Tuesday’s newspaper edition.
Ryan Heinsius: What motivated you to create this retrospective event?
Jake Bacon: What is an evening with Jake Bacon, apart from boring? This will be an exploration of my 30-plus-year journey documenting life in this region. I’ll be on stage sharing photos and discussing the stories they tell about our community.
“I’m blessed that my life is spent out in the community talking to the community, meeting people. I really saw it as a gift to be able to reach out to the community and hold a mirror up and reflect to the community how connected we all are.”
RH: Modern journalism often lacks community focus. Do you think it needs more local engagement?
JB: Absolutely. Connection is essential for everyone. In a world dominated by social media, we seek connections that resonate with us. I aim to foster unity rather than division, bringing people together through shared narratives.
RH: How has your role as a community journalist shaped your worldview?
JB: It allows me to witness humanity at its best and worst. The difficult moments, like witnessing court cases or accidents, do take a toll. However, the majority of my work involves highlighting people’s achievements and joy, which is truly magical. Sharing these stories is incredibly valuable to both the community and myself.
“The vast majority of what I do is seeing people at their best and seeing people shine and seeing people being recognized for that. It’s magic. I mean, it really is magic.”
RH: Despite changes in journalism, local news remains crucial. What are your thoughts on its importance?
JB: Local news is vital for covering stories that matter to our community. Without it, significant events might be overlooked or only receive brief coverage from larger outlets. It’s essential that we protect and support local journalism.
RH: Thank you for sharing your insights today, Jake.
JB: It’s been a pleasure to be here.
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