Hello, Milwaukee! My name is Jonathan Aguilar, and I am joining the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service as a photojournalist as well as a Report for America corps member and a Catchlight fellow.
Report for America is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities.
Catchlight is a visual-first media organization that leverages the power of visual storytelling to inform, connect and transform communities. Through both programs, I’m proud to focus on visual storytelling for Milwaukee.
Why I choose journalism
I am a bilingual, multimedia journalist coming from the suburbs of Chicago. In 2017, I traveled to Mexico and stayed with my extended family in Tampico, even though the American government had placed my parents’ hometown on a “Do Not Travel” list.
The media had portrayed Mexico as a country overrun with crime, violence, instability, and poverty. But what I encountered was something completely different: a vibrant community full of life, resilience and rich culture.
I was welcomed with warmth and generosity, and I saw firsthand the strength of families, the creativity of local artisans and the beauty of their everyday routines. The disconnect between what I had been told in American media and what I actually experienced was striking. I felt compelled through my photography to capture what I witnessed: the humanity, spirit and depth of the people.
That trip became a turning point for me, deepening my passion for storytelling and fueling my commitment to give a platform to the voices of communities that are often misunderstood or overlooked in mainstream media.
My background
My passion for visibility through journalism led me to help establish the National Association of Hispanic Journalists chapter at DePaul University, and this gave way to me becoming a founding member of La DePaulia, the first Spanish-speaking newsroom at DePaul University.
For my master’s degree, I attended graduate school at the Medill School of Journalism while freelancing for several local Chicago publications, like Borderless and the Chicago Reader. From there, I spent two years as a photographer at one of America’s oldest continuously published daily newspapers, The Blade, in Toledo, Ohio.
What I want to do for Milwaukee
I believe photojournalism is just as vital as written reporting. Photographs can often capture moments and emotions that words cannot fully express. They serve as historical records, emotional touchstones and powerful tools for understanding.
Unfortunately, many newsrooms have downsized or eliminated their photography departments. Yet visual journalism remains essential, and often speaks when others cannot. As the famous quote says, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Now in Milwaukee, I look forward to meeting and working with you. I want to hear your stories and share them through a visual lens that honors your experiences. You can reach me by email at jaguilar@milwaukeenns.org
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
