When something significant happens in Nashville, The Tennessean’s Nicole Hester will probably be there taking photos of it. From capturing the joy of music festivals to documenting intense protests at the state Capitol, Hester is seemingly everywhere, always hustling to capture important moments that shouldn’t be forgotten. Among her most recognizable photos is one taken the day of the Covenant School shooting in 2023: a young girl weeping inside a school bus leaving the site of the tragedy. The image, which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Breaking News Photography this year, provides a raw and haunting look at the impact of gun violence on children. This photo and the rest of Hester’s astounding portfolio remind us of the power that images can hold and the importance of photojournalism.
Best News Photographer
Nicole Hester
Nicole Hester
