Meet photographer Fred Squillante: ‘The best thing … is the variety of subjects I get to cover’ – The Columbus Dispatch

I started working at the Columbus Dispatch in 1986. Before that I worked for two years at the Tribune Chronicle in Warren, Ohio. I did freelance work for the Associated Press not long after graduating from Kent State University in 1981.

I've always known what I wanted to do for a living.I've liked photography since being a child and I was fortunate to get work doing what is my favorite thing to do.

The best thing about working for a newspaper is the variety of subjects I get to cover. I don't specialize in any one area. I've covered politics, sports and a variety of other news events. I've also done food and fashion photos. I've photographed famous people like the Pope and several presidents. I've traveled a lot in my 35 years at the Dispatch.But mostly now I photograph local people and activities. They are really the most interesting subjects to photograph.

The best assignment I've had at the Dispatch was photographing the space shuttle launch that returned John Glenn to space in 1998. I grew up during the 1960's space race to the moon and loved everything about space travel.

The biggest challenge I face is technology. It changes too fast. But I do learn what I need to know. If there's something I can't figure out, I am lucky that I have plenty of fellow staffers who can guide me.

I like to read. I prefer books about history.

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Meet photographer Fred Squillante: 'The best thing ... is the variety of subjects I get to cover' - The Columbus Dispatch