Item photographer made great memories, met great people in Sumter

A sports team taking a group photo and in a sea of cameras one of the athletes saying "Everyone look at Adam!" because they know and trust you despite me not working for the team. Seeing an owner months after you helped feature his new restaurant in Lakeside Magazine and him saying he still excitedly shows people the issue and that it's helped bring in business. Moments like these are what it's all about.

My time in Sumter was relatively short. While it certainly had its challenges as I navigated a new life in a new city, I owe a lot to Sumter for helping me grow as a journalist and person. Now it's time to say goodbye.

I came to Sumter not knowing what to expect. It was far from home, and I didn't have much work experience. I just knew I wanted to feel a part of a community. Thank you, Sumter, for welcoming me into the community and your lives. Sometimes, your actual homes. Thank you for the photos, the conversations - both formal and not - and for trusting me to tell your stories. I hope I did you justice.

My camera and this job have opened both literal and figurative doors I never thought possible. I've met people, covered events and had access to things in the community I never otherwise would have. I've helped spotlight the good and contributed to highlighting important issues that will hopefully spark change.

From ghost hunting to horse and motocross racing. From prescribed burns, firefighter training and a rodeo to a flight up to western North Carolina in a small plane with local pilots dropping off supplies for Hurricane Helene victims. From photographing big names who came to town to documenting daily local Sumterites of all ages, their businesses, their passions and their lives. Not to mention the countless sporting events, some state championship wins and losses and the individuals I got to connect with through series like The Grind and Sumter's Next Generation among countless other portraits taken and stories told.

While not every day was highlight reel-worthy, I've made a lot of great memories and met a lot of great people in Sumter. I've done much to be proud of in such a short time. We as local journalists can lose sight of that in the thick of the daily grind.

I found it special to work for a place so historic, The Sumter Item having been around since 1894. It's an honor to put my own extremely small stamp on the history of this newspaper and to tell the stories of Sumter for a short while. As I leave with many exciting things still happening around town, I'll be a fan from afar, excited to see how Sumter evolves and grows. Maybe one day I'll return for a visit, camera in hand of course.