Billy Weeks interviews Brynn Anderson of the Associated Press during the 10th Annual Photo Night at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Anderson shared stories from more than a decade covering major sporting events—including the Super Bowl, World Series, Olympics, and NCAA Final Four—and offered insights into what it takes to consistently deliver under pressure on the world’s biggest stages.
Yesterday I had the privilege of being part of something special at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The Communication Department hosted the 10th annual Photo Night, a celebration of visual storytelling that brought together professional photographers, filmmakers, students, and the Chattanooga community.
The day started with workshops where professionals shared their experiences and insights with students who are just beginning their journeys into visual storytelling. Events like this matter because they create space where working professionals can pass along both the craft and the heart behind the work.
The evening program, held in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall at UTC’s Fine Arts Center, felt a bit like a visual storytelling version of a late-night talk show. Each presenter shared stories from their work, giving the audience a glimpse into the moments behind the images.
The lineup of speakers reflected just how strong the storytelling community is:
- Kathleen Greeson, a Chattanooga documentarian and photographer whose work has explored important social issues, including her current long-form documentary project examining rural health and hospital closures in Tennessee.
- Brynn Anderson of Associated Press, who regularly covers major sporting events around the world, including the Super Bowl, World Series, Olympics, and NCAA Final Four.
- Chris Shaw, founder of Final Flash Productions.
- Blake Davis, founder of Bloom Video Production.
The event was hosted by photojournalist and UTC lecturer Billy Weeks, who founded Photo Night and continues to lead the program. Billy often describes the evening as more of a storytelling show than a lecture, and that description fits perfectly.
But what makes Photo Night unique is that the students are truly the stars.
Throughout the evening, the audience saw students in UTC’s Rising Rock program produce their work. These stories are powerful examples of what happens when young storytellers are given mentorship, real-world experience, and the opportunity to pursue meaningful stories.
More than 500 people attended the event, filling the hall with photographers, journalists, students, and members of the community. There were moments of laughter, moments of reflection, and stories that clearly moved the audience.
Billy summed it up best in a note he sent to the speakers afterward. He wrote that students were still talking the next day about what they saw—but more importantly about what they felt. For those of us who believe in the power of visual storytelling, that’s the real goal.
For me, it was a joy to share some of my own work and to spend time encouraging students preparing to enter the profession. After more than four decades working as a visual storyteller, I still believe one of the most important things we can do is invest in the next generation.
Photo Night has now celebrated ten years, and if last night was any indication, the future of visual storytelling is in very good hands.
Here is a link to the PDF of the presentation I made if you care to see it. https://stanleyleary.com/marketing/