photojournalism

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

Kentay Varnell, a Chicago resident, student, artist, and creator, draws an original character in her sketchbook in her apartment on April18, 2024. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

Mariah Krzanowski, a model, stops for a picture as she walks her dog Sonny through Grant Park on April 14, 2024. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

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. (Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain)

about me

Aubreonna is a Chicago-based community-based multimedia journalist passionate about telling stories about marginalized experiences. Their reporting addresses systems of oppression in those communities and focuses on social advocacy. They 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, Aubreonna uses mediums like photography and videography to showcase talented people. They’ve photographed everything from underground raves to symposiums, allowing themselves to gain experiences working with others from different backgrounds. They currently attend DePaul University for their bachelor’s degree in journalism. They are a Contributing Photographer and Writer for The DePaulia, Staff Photographer for the DePaul Student Photo Agency, a Multimedia Assistant for DePaul’s Newsline.Not one to limit themselves, Aubreonna has interest in music, film, culture and photography. They are a freelance photojournalist and fiber artist aspiring to share their 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 their passion for journalism.

multimedia

The underground music scene is a community-based group that has many issues. Student DJs are faced with this issues when performing at events and are put at odds. This story takes a deeper look into how these students pursue their passion, despite the struggle for safety.
Find the multimedia piece through the above button!