The Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer that I chose to learn more about is Jessica Rinaldi. Rinaldi is a photojournalist for The Boston Globe and creates portfolios that show and tell stories without words. In 2016 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her story “The Life and Times of Strider Wolf.” Her work tells the story of a young boy named Strider Wolf from Oxford Maine.
Rinaldi followed the story of Strider, who is being raised by his grandparents after being abused at the age of 2 years old. The original story of Strider Wolf was televised in 2011 after he was brutally assaulted by his mother’s boyfriend, Justin Roy, but many were not aware of his life after recovery. After the assault was recognized, caseworkers followed an irrefutable offer to Lanette and Larry Grant, the boy’s grandparents. After agreeing to take in both Strider and his brother, their life began to change. The Grants were struggling to pay rent and, after a few months, were kicked out of their home. The author of the article, Sarah Schweitzer, included, “they told the boys they were going camping.” He began to refer to Lanette and Larry as “Mama” and “Papa” as he moved away from his biological parents.
While Rinaldi has created several different stories from photos, she has taken this specific set won her a Pulitzer Prize. I found the story of Strider and his family the most important and heartwarming. Viewers can see how people among the less fortunate of Maine live their lives. While some people are quick to judge a situation, I think that Rinaldi has been successful in portraying a message. Everyone’s lives have ups and downs, and Strider Wolf has by far one of the most exciting stories I’ve seen. It is important to see growth from a terrible situation into a happy and loving home life. Although the Grant’s may not have ideal living situations and standards, they share love and gratefulness every day. Through the love and hope they were able to give one another, the Grant’s were able to rent a home and move into it.
The growth of Strider is indescribable and amazing with the help of the visual’s emotion was recognized throughout the story. Jessica Rinaldi continuously amazed me with her detail and crisp shots of the Strider Wolf. Taking the time to read and observe the work that she and Sarah Schweitzer have produced is worth the time in everyone’s day.
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