A recent TCU graduate has flourished in the world of local journalism.
Cristian ArguetaSoto, the son of Mexican immigrants, was born and raised in Fort Worth. He learned at a very young age that life wasn’t going to hand you all the lemons for your lemonade.
“You gotta make due with what you got,” ArguetaSoto said. “When I was growing up, I had a little, so I had to make the most out of it.”
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GETTING STARTED
ArguetaSoto began his journey into photography in high school when he started snapping shots on his iPhone 5. He said he began analyzing the lines, shapes and colors in the pictures he took.
After he graduated, ArguetaSoto was able to buy his first professional camera, a Canon T6. He said he decided he wanted to take photography more seriously as he entered college.
Despite his love for photography, ArguetaSoto first came to TCU as an environmental science major. However, he was soon drawn into journalism. He met Jean Marie Brown, the Director of Student Media, at orientation.
“She saw I had a camera, so I'm assuming she was kind of like, okay, do some photojournalism stuff,” ArguetaSoto said. “That's where I really started exploring more documentary/journalism photography, and that's what I fell in love with.”
At TCU, Cristian distinguished himself as a dedicated student, and a talented photographer, according to Patty Zamarripa, assistant professor of professional practice.
“He always added extra,” Zamarripa said. “He had this agency; he was a self-starter.”
CAREER LIFE
ArguetaSoto began working at the Fort Worth Report, a local news organization, last year. He now covers a community he has been part of his entire life.
Chris Cobler, the publisher and CEO of the Fort Worth Report, said ArguetaSoto’s passion for photojournalism and desire to serve the community made him a top candidate for a fellowship program at the publication.
“I was impressed right away with his thoughtfulness and his intellect and his real desire to do public service journalism,” Cobler said.
At the end of his summer fellowship, Cobler said it was clear he wanted to hire ArguetaSoto full time.
“I could see he had the makings of being a really good journalist, but he needed more experience,” Cobler said, “Once he started here, he started seizing that opportunity right away and really developed.”
ArguetaSoto said that he never knows what his work day will look like until it’s over.
His day starts with an 8 a.m meeting to discuss the plan for the day. After that, he might go cover an event, write and publish stories or take photos.
As a community engagement journalist, ArguetaSoto reports on important events and tells the stories he finds around him.
“He's out in the community and bringing back their voices and their thoughts on how we should do better journalism,” Cobler said. “So he's been really essential to our success.”
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COMMUNITY COVERAGE
ArguetaSoto said his connection to his community allows him to do better reporting. When conducting interviews, he said he is able to easily approach and relate to his subjects.
“I would just stop and think, ‘hey, if a journalist went up to my parents and tried to ask them a bunch of questions, how would they approach my parents?’” ArguetaSoto said. “Or, ‘what would my parents think about what they’re trying to ask them?’”
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When looking for stories to cover, ArguetaSoto tries to give a platform to underrepresented voices.
“He has a really strong connection to the Fort Worth community,” Zamarripa said. “It’s hugely populated by latinos from all over the world, and I think he’s going to be one of the few that are looking out for them.”
In July 2021, ArguetaSoto wrote an article investigating eviction filings in Tarrant County. He was able to share important information about evictions being filed during the CDC eviction moratorium with Tarrant County residents whose living situations could be impacted.
“You're not necessarily already getting kicked out, but they were using eviction filings as a way of pushing people to either apply for rental assistance, raise money to pay rent or leave,” ArguetaSoto said.
These types of stories represent the vital role local journalists play by reporting on news that might not otherwise receive coverage.
“That's what every good local journalist aims to do, is to make a difference in the community and help it see itself and help it figure out how to be better than it is,” Cobler said.
ArguetaSoto said sticking to those goals will always lead to success.
“As long as there are stories, and there always will be stories,” ArguetaSoto said, “then you really can't fail.”
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See more of ArguetaSoto's Work: