top of page
UnEdited_edited_edited_edited.jpg

Photojournalism

I've always loved taking pictures of anything and everything. As part of the Communications Academy, I was lucky enough to take a photojournalism class in my sophomore year. Taught by my yearbook adviser, I learned all the different aspects and features of the camera. I learned the ins and outs of good photos, like using the rule of thirds and framing. I was able to bring this knowledge over to yearbook the following years. 

Photography Rules/Tricks

Leading Lines & Repetition

Baseball_3-27_KB (18) (1).JPG

Framing

Rule of Thirds

Bowling_KB_1-12 (51).JPG

Photos by Kyra Balch

My Editing Process

w/ Adobe Photoshop

Photography became more than just the click of a button when I joined yearbook. I learned how to edit pictures to make them the best they can be. Straightening, color correcting, cropping and lighting was passed on to me from the previous editors. As a Co. EIC, I was able to pass it on to our new staff. These are the steps that we use for our pictures.

Step 1: Straighten

Step 2: Crop

1. Use the ruler tool and trace the horizon line

2. Select "Image" at the top

3. Select "Image Rotation"

4. Select "Arbitrary" and then "Okay"

5. Select the crop tool and drag in the corners

1. Make sure the subject has no unintentional limbs cutoff

2. Take out any unnessessary people/body parts on the sides of photos

3. Take out any unnessessary extra space, making it a tight crop on the subject

Step 3: Color Correct

Step 4: Brighten

1. Select "image" at the top

2. Select "Adjustments"

3. Select "Levels"

4. Click the dropdown to select each color (RGB) individually

5. Hold the Alt key and drag either side of the slider until color spots begin to show

6. Repeat steps 4-5 with each color and select "Okay"

1. Select "image" at the top

2. Select "Adjustments"

3. Select "Brightness/Contrast'

4. Use the sliders until the photo is a good brightness

My Photos

WalkOut_1-19_KB (28).JPG

News

These kind of events are my favorite things to cover. It expands my experience outside of just school related things and it impacts the community. After covering the Anti-Ice Walkout, I felt a shift. It was no longer up to me to preplan angles or shot ideas. It was up to me to catch whatever was going to happen and tell the story of the people.

Anti-ICE Walkout

Indian Trail High School students arranged a walkout to protest against ICE in our community.

WalkOut_1-19_KB (31).JPG
WalkOut_1-19_KB (37).JPG
WalkOut_1-19_KB (36).JPG
WalkOut_1-19_KB (17).JPG
WalkOut_1-19_KB (2).JPG
WalkOut_1-19_KB (28).JPG
WalkOut_1-19_KB (34).JPG
WalkOut_1-19_KB (30).JPG
WalkOut_1-19_KB (26).JPG
WalkOut_1-19_KB (29).JPG
1stdayofschool_KB_9-2 (9) (1).JPG

Student Life

When it comes to clubs and student life, it is so meaningful and important to the people involved. Pictures of this catch a different, but just as valuable, kind of story. When covering these events, I always look for emotions and build off of the lesser seen side of things. By finding the subtle beauties, I tend to find more connection in my photos.

First Day Of School

1stdayofschool_KB_9-2 (1).JPG
1stdayofschool_KB_9-2 (9) (1).JPG

Upperclassmen welcome incoming freshman to their first day of high school.

Ashley Barry fixes her makeup on the first day of school.

Santa's Workshop

santa_KB_12-13 (4) (1) (1).jpg
SantasWorkshop_12-14_KB (10) (1).JPG

Hannah Manning makes a snow ruler with a kid at Santa's Workshop.

A kid sits on Mabel Galagher's lap while picking his next crayon.

SantasWorkshop_12-14_KB (12) (1).JPG
SantasWorkshop_12-14_KB (29).JPG

Gavin Martinez-LaPorte attempts to catch a ring, tossed by Gabriella Najaro. 

Addison Schnieder shows a child how to make something.

SantasWorkshop_12-14_KB (36).JPG
SantasWorkshop_12-14_KB (42) (1).JPG

Paula Lomeli helps a kid with her craft at Santa's Workshop.

Gavin Martinez-Laporte celebrates as a kid lands rings on his antlers.

santa_KB_12-13 (5) (1) (1).jpg
santa_KB_12-13 (11) (1) (1).jpg

Gianna Grundy hands a kid another piece to her craft.

Kalynn Gibson adds the last decoration to the setup for Santa photos.

Senior Sunrise

SeniorSunrise_KB_8-29 (7) (1).JPG
SeniorSunrise_KB_8-29 (1).JPG

Owen Moldenauer and Logan Fowler sit ontop of others' shoulders for the group picture at senior sunrise. 

Ezequiel Dominguez hits the ball into the net in a game of Spike Ball towards Gavin Martinez-LaPorte

Bowling Club

Bowling_KB_1-12 (28).JPG
Bowling_KB_1-12 (55).JPG

Charlie Hamilton resents the pins for his practice shots.

Nicole Weber lines up her shot before sending the ball.

Bowling_KB_1-12 (40).JPG
Bowling_KB_1-12 (46).JPG

Jayden Binninger winds up to roll the ball down the alley.

Charlie Hamilton lifts his arm in the air to show off his throw.

Sports

Sports are a huge part of our school and our pride. Being there to catch that moment is essential and exhilarating. Though it is less obvious in action shots, every photo still has a story to tell. 

Baseball

Baseball_3-27_KB (16) (1).JPG
Baseball_3-27_KB (18) (1).JPG

Pedro Villena Gonzalez winds up his arm to throw the ball to his teammate.

The team does an exercise to work on keeping their eye on the ball.

Cross Country

CrossCountry_KB_10-2 (49) (1).JPG
CrossCountry_KB_10-2 (2) (1).JPG

Elaina Grun takes her final strides with the finish line in sight.

Aaliyah Taylor jumps during warmups as she leads the group before their race.

CrossCountry_KB_10-25 (14) (1).JPG

Owen Hermes, Marcus Hill and Marcellus Hill take off after the canon.

Soccer

BoysSoccer_KB_8-26 (19) (1).JPG
SoccerVarsity_KB_10-16 (38) (1).JPG

The players on the field celebrate Logan Fowler's first goal of the year.

Connor Denisi takes off towards the goal.

Boyssoccer_KB_8-26 (5) (1) (1).JPG

Owen Moldenauer gives Gabe Harvey a high five after Harvey Scored a goal.

Baseball_3-27_KB 2(11) (1)_edited_edited.jpg

Sports Feature

When it comes to clubs and student life, it is so meaningful and important to the people involved. Pictures of this catch a different, but just as valuable, kind of story.

Baseball

Baseball_3-27_KB (7) (1).JPG
Baseball_3-27_KB (6) (1).JPG

Cade Minatto used J bands in recovery from his injury. 

Coach Oachs goes over the next activity with the JV1 boys.

Baseball_3-27_KB 2(13) (1).JPG
Baseball_3-27_KB 2(11) (1).JPG

Cameron Betz talks with his teammates during a break.

Pitcher, Samuel Callow, does his warm ups using J bands

Cross Country

CrossCountry_KB_8-28 (57) (1) (1).JPG
CrossCountry_KB_8-28 (62) (1) (1).JPG

Makaylee Brown does band stretches during her post-run cool down.

A fellow runner from another team gives Brooke Helmke a fist pump at the award ceremony.

WANT TO GET IN CONTACT?
Instagram: @kyrabalch_journalist
Email: kyrabalch@gmail.com
X: @KyraBalch
© 2025 by Kyra Balch. All rights reserved.
bottom of page