Please say hello to The News Tribune’s summer news intern, journalist Amber Ritson
Hi Tacoma! My name is Amber Ritson, and I’m the visual intern at The News Tribune for the summer.
Words can not describe how excited I am to live and work in your fantastic city. While it’s only technically my second week in Tacoma, I’ve thrown myself into every adventure that comes my way in an attempt to get to know Tacoma and Pierce County better. Most recently, I’ve spent hours exploring tide pools along the beach, searching for crabs, starfish and other sea creatures.
Some things you should know about me: I was born and raised in Apopka, Florida, a small city known for growing indoor plants and its proximity to Disney World. Within the last year or so, I earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism from Temple University. Before moving to Tacoma, I worked as a staff photographer during a six-month fellowship for LancasterOnline, a regional daily newspaper in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
I’m dedicated to the belief that no story is ever too big or too small for me to cover. I also believe that photography is the most accessible way to learn and tell the truth. Those principles have guided me through some incredible and challenging stories, touching on topics such as worker’s rights, agriculture, race and gender.
Since college, I’ve been working on a passion project detailing the challenges faced by farmers in different parts of the country. While the project has been focused on urban farmers on the East Coast, I’m looking forward to exploring and telling the stories of Pierce County farmers and the issues they might face due to the climate, local and national politics, and location.
When I’m not working, I’m likely exploring used bookstores and record shops or creating playlists for friends and family back home. A fun fact about me: According to my Spotify Wrapped, I was in the top 3 percent of listeners worldwide in 2023, with a total of 69,271 minutes!
During my time at The News Tribune, I aim to build meaningful relationships with readers and cover every story with passion, determination and care.
Got a tip? I’m always open to new ideas and perspectives. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to aritson@thenewstribune.com or to @amberritsonphotography on Instagram.