May 2025 Journalist Development Series

When

May 13, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

The 2025 Journalist Development Series, sponsored by News Corp, features a once-monthly webinar as an opportunity for general professional development for members and the mentorship program community.

The next webinar will be held Tuesday, May 13th at 7 p.m. ET on Zoom.

The topic is Photojournalism: Drone Aerial Photography and 3D Printing to Enhance Storytelling

Attendees will gain valuable insights from Jeff Gritchen, a staff photographer at the Orange County Register, and Jay Seidel, a professor at Fullerton College, as they lead us through this interactive webinar. For more information, visit our Events page linked above.

This webinar is offered FREE for MVJ members.

About the Speakers

Jay Siedel
Professor and Director of the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College

Jay Siedel is a veteran, having served 12 years in the U.S. Army and California Army National Guard where he worked as an engineer and photojournalist. He developed a comprehensive drone program, with journalism being at the foundation.

He is a Part 107 certified UAS Pilot and has been flying drones since 2016. He is an AUVSI TOP (Level 3) UAV Instructor, a Skydio Certified Instructor, and helped the Fullerton Drone Lab become and ASTM Certified Training Center. Jay is a representative of the FAA’s Safety Team where he is the Drone Pro for Orange and Los Angeles counties working from the Long Beach Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). He regularly speaks across Southern California communities about drone safety and drone education. He is also a certified master thermographer by the Infrared Training Center, and trains students on acquiring and interpreting thermal images and data.

He wrote the textbook Drones: Training and Applications to Digital Imaging (now in its fourth edition) and has been a guest speaker and trainer at a variety of industry workshops and conferences. He is the president of the AUVSI California Chapter, which focuses on the advancement of uncrewed systems and robotics represents corporations and professionals in defense, civil and commercial markets across California.

Jay spent the majority of his time in service as a DINFOS trained photojournalist. He said that working with veterans is near and dear to his heart.

Headshot of photojournalist on with a white background.

Jeff Gritchen
Staff Photographer, Orange County Register

Jeff Gritchen started his career working for the American Red Cross as a disaster relief photographer 1989. In 1994 he started working for the company that would eventually become the Southern California News Group — first at The Orange County Register, then the Long Beach Press-Telegram, then back to Orange County. Gritchen has covered everything from the large Cambodian community in Long Beach to a few NBA Championships and a World Series. In 2005 he covered the destruction of the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. In 2008 he traveled to Southeast Asia to document a rural Cambodian girl as she traveled to the U.S. for life-altering heart surgery. In 2016 he traveled to China to document the opening of Disney’s newest theme park in Shanghai. He has won numerous state and national awards, including an international NPPA Best of Photojournalism award. Gritchen served as the Director of Region 10 of the National Press Photographer Association from 1999 to 2005. He attended California State University, Fullerton, where he graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Photo Communication. He likes to hike, bike and spend time with his family. See his work here: https://jeffgritchen.com/

About the Moderator

Russell Midori
Photojournalist and Editor, PIX11, Co-Founder of MVJ

Russell Midori is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and co-founder of MVJ. He is a photojournalist and technical field producer based in New York City. Born in Brooklyn, he spends his days driving a news truck across the five boroughs, filming and editing high-impact stories, and transmitting both live shots and polished packages to his station. With a cinematic eye and a passion for truth-seeking, Russell brings both artistry and technical precision to every assignment.

Beyond his work in broadcast news, Russell is the founder of Drum Circle Media, where he produces freelance documentary projects that dive deeper than the headlines. His storytelling is grounded in a love for history, a commitment to accuracy, and a curiosity about the human experience.

Outside of journalism, Russell is a licensed New York City tour guide, a casual chess and pool player, and someone who thrives on the thrill of the chase—whether it’s for the perfect shot or the perfect story.