May 11, 2026
Contact: Eric Stann, StannE@missouri.edu
Photos courtesy of Annie George
University of Missouri senior Annie George often sees the world through a viewfinder. The native of Kirkwood, Missouri, was just 9 years old when she received her first camera, a small pink point-and-shoot.
It rarely left her hands.
“That camera was my most prized possession,” she said.
George’s fascination with photography only deepened as she grew older. By eighth grade, she upgraded to a more advanced camera, recruiting friends for photo shoots and experimenting with composition, lighting and timing.
That early interest further developed once George discovered photojournalism. While working for her high school newspaper, she quickly learned that photographs could do more than accompany a story — they could drive it. By her junior year, she knew photography wasn’t just a hobby, it could be her future career.
First stop: the Missouri School of Journalism and its nationally recognized photojournalism program.
Later this week, George will graduate with a bachelor of journalism degree, and her next chapter is already coming into clear focus: a photo editing internship at National Geographic, the publication she has always dreamed of working for.
Looking through the lens
At the School of Journalism, George gained more than technical skills. She found a collaborative environment that pushed her to grow creatively and personally.
“The professors and students here genuinely push you to be better,” she said. “They want you to pitch bold ideas and then help you figure out how to make them happen.”
For George, that culture came to life at the Columbia Missourian — the journalism school’s community newspaper — where she gained real-world photojournalism experience.
One year after starting as a staff photographer, she became a photo editor. In the role, George managed 37 student photographers along with five other editors, coordinating daily assignments, handling logistics and mentoring other young, aspiring photojournalists. The experience reshaped how she thinks about visual storytelling.
“Editing taught me to think about stories holistically,” she said. “It’s not just about one image. It’s about how visuals work together to tell something meaningful.”
When the story keeps unfolding
While leadership opportunities sharpened her skills, George explored every corner of photojournalism.
“I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to do,” George said. “I love sports photography. I love news photography. I love portrait photography. I love in-depth stories. I love daily stories.”
Then, one project changed her mindset.
As part of her photojournalism capstone class, George created a long-term project documenting a young boy’s battle with brain cancer. The series, titled “Warrior,” became a defining moment in her college career, earning George first place in the prestigious Hearst Photo Story/Series Competition, often referred to as one of the “Pulitzers of college journalism.”
“That story showed me the value of time and trust,” she said. “It changed how I see photojournalism and made me want to focus on long-form work where relationships really matter.”
While the award is meaningful, George said the true excitement for her comes from the recognition it brings to Drew, who died on Jan. 1 of this year.
“Through the experience, I grew very close to Drew and his family,” she said. “I’m deeply grateful for the bond we formed and the trust the Patchin family placed in me. Drew often said he wanted to be famous, and I’m proud to say my work will help more people hear his story.”
Frame by frame
George vividly remembers the first time one of her photographs ran on the front page of the Missourian. It was her first image published in the newspaper. Since then, she has saved every edition that features her work as a tangible record of her growth.
“Mizzou prepares you to walk into a newsroom ready to work,” she said. “That’s why recruiters seek out Mizzou students — we’ve already done the job.”
With a strong portfolio, national recognition and a clear sense of direction, George leaves Columbia ready to tell more stories, one carefully chosen image at a time.
Below, George shares some of her favorite photos from her time at Mizzou and, in her own words, shares why they are special to her.
“I first met Drew Patchin in September 2025 and photographed him and his family during the final months of his life for a picture story during my photojournalism capstone class. This photo is from a practice bar mitzvah for Drew. His family did not know if he would live long enough to celebrate his bar mitzvah, making this a particularly meaningful occasion. Drew’s story changed the trajectory of my career, and I will never take for granted the opportunity to tell his story.“
“I love this photo for many reasons. I was a swimmer growing up and have always held a special place in my heart for the sport. As I got older and stopped swimming, I began to feel disconnected from a world I once loved. When I entered photojournalism, it gave me the opportunity to reconnect with the sport from a different perspective. I have a strong passion for photography, and combining two things I love is always rewarding. I selected this photo because of the way the water frames her face. Knowing the sport so well allows for more experimentation with composition, which makes the process particularly enjoyable.”
“This is one of my favorite moments of connection I captured during my time as a staffer for the Missourian. It took place during the annual lighting of the Magic Tree in Columbia. After the tree was lit, I looked for people enjoying the decorations and captured this moment between a father and his daughter. When I photograph, I aim to convey a sense of human connection, and this image does just that.”
