photojournalism

Kentay Varnell poses for a portrait as she sketches on her bed in her Chicago apartment on April 18, 2024. Varnell is a transwoman and artist, who expresses her identity through her art and spirituality. She wasn't always granted the opportunity to be herself, growing up against the status quo, and she continues to be the role model she needed when she was younger.

DJ MiMiDREAM shows off her rave ‘kandi’ as she showcases her set at Genre Fuck’s Happy Hour Tour on May 18, 2024. 'Kandi' are beaded bracelets that connect with other ravers to spread peace, love, unity, and respect.

DZ Riley’s saxophonist and lead singer step down from the stage to get up close and personal to the overjoyed crowd at Grant Slam in Jonquil Park in Chicago on May 18, 2024.

Andy Cordos, a Chicago college student poses with her pottery at Grant Slam in Jonquil Park in Chicago on May 18, 2024. They have been making pottery for 5 years, after discovering their love for it in a college course. The festival allowed students to enjoy themselves and vendors, like Cordos to showcase their work.

McGuigan Weatherspoon, a Chicago creative and student poses for a friend's camera at a rave at Space.01 on May 4, 2024. The rave was thrown by Nexus Groove Space, a collective DIY event space for locals working to liven up the party scene in Chicago and create a comforting environment for all. Weatherspoon is just one of the locals who participate in the scene, enjoying all it embarks.

Journey Turner, left, and Millie Adams, right, pose in excitement for the debut of their boutique at a Chicago 'Woman in Film' night on June 1, 2024. Which Witch Productions hosted the event to showcase small women/femme-owned businesses. Dolly Doll's House is a vintage clothing & styling boutique that sprouted from the minds of Turner and Adams after meeting in 2020.

DJ MiMiDREAM spins her set as partygoers watch and dance at Genre Fuck’s Hardcore Happy Tour on May 18, 2024. DJ MiMiDREAM was excited to show her set and party with other ravers.

Kentay Varnell, a Chicago resident, student, artist, and creator, draws an original character in her sketchbook in her apartment on April 18, 2024.

Kiya Dunigan, left, and Lauren Martin, right, talk and dance at a local party celebrating Black & Brown communities, thrown by a mutual friend in Chicago on May 31, 2024. The party created a safe space for music between BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities to be uplifted and creativity to flow.

Mariah Krzanowski, a model, stops for a picture as she walks her dog Sonny through Grant Park on April 14, 2024.

Festivalgoers kick and dance as DZ Riley performs their set at Grant Slam in Jonquil Park, Chicago on May 18, 2024. The student-run music festival was a chance for the surrounding community to celebrate independent music curators and performers, and to enjoy themselves.

Yasmeen Wilson, a Fashion Design student at Columbia College Chicago, accepts flowers from a loved one at the Fusion Fashion Show on April 29, 2024. The Fusion Fashion was a chance for student designers like Wilson to showcase their work for one last time as the semester ended.

about me

Hi! I'm Aubreonna, a Chicago-based community-based multimedia journalist passionate about telling stories about marginalized experiences. My reporting addresses systems of oppression in those communities and focuses on social advocacy. I look beyond the day-to-day work people do, valuing the connection and challenges between groups overlooked in mainstream media.As a visually-driven journalist, I use mediums like photography and videography to showcase talented people. I've photographed everything from underground raves to symposiums, allowing myself to gain experiences working with others from different backgrounds. I am currently attending DePaul University to earn my bachelor’s degree in journalism. I'm a Contributing Photographer and Writer for The DePaulia, Staff Photographer for the DePaul Student Photo Agency, and Multimedia Assistant for DePaul’s Newsline.Not one to limit myself, I have interests in music, literature, culture and photography. In my free time, I'm a freelance photojournalist and fiber artist aspiring to share my work with others and create a community with similar values and impact. Amplifying the voices of the unheard through different mediums and forming connections with different communities is what drives my passion for journalism.

sports photojournalism

Annika Byum clears her high jump at 5’7.25” (1.71m) at the Blue Demon Alumni Classic on Feb. 8, 2025. The Marquette senior placed first in the Women’s high jump.

Ally Johnson leads a small group dance in Studio A at the Ray on Jan. 21, 2025. Johnson has been a dancer since she was younger and now studies music. She’s always been a fan of contemporary dance and teaches the class with her passion for dance and making friends.

Xyanna Walton makes a shot at the free-throw line on Feb. 25, 2025. Walton averages 29 points per game.

Georgetown's Drew Fielder jumps for the ball during tip-off with DePaul's CJ Gunn on Mar. 8, 2025.

Freshman Jordan Reddick clears hurdles at the Blue Demon Alumni Classic on Feb. 8, 2025. The freshman placed fifth overall in the Men’s 60 hurdles with a
time of 8.37 seconds.

DePaul's guard, Layden Blocker, dribbles the ball past Georgetown's Malik Mack on Mar. 8, 2025.

Men’s hurdlers from the Big East compete at Gately Indoor Stadium in the Men’s 60 hurdles preliminary on February 8, 2025. Big East teams gathered at Gately indoor track stadium to compete.

David Thomas makes a free throw at the DePaul v. Georgetown game on Mar. 8, 2025. Thomas scored a total of seven points during the game.

Mallory Kennoy demonstrates a move on the aerial hoop on March 16, 2025. Kennoy has been teaching the class for a year and finds joy in teaching her love of aerial hoop to others.

Butler High School girls' varsity basketball team crowd around their trophy on Feb. 15, 2025. The team won 73 to 45 in the game against Marshall High School.