Alumni Spotlight: Julian Zhu ’21 Captures Stories on the World Stage

For Julian Zhu '21, photography has always been more than taking pictures—it's about telling stories, connecting people, and documenting moments that matter.

After graduating from Fryeburg Academy in 2021, Julian attended Boston University, where he earned his bachelor's degree while building a strong foundation in journalism and visual storytelling. He then continued his education at Stanford University, graduating this June with a master's degree in Journalism.

Almost immediately after completing graduate school, Julian had the opportunity to put his education into practice on one of the world's biggest stages. He covered four FIFA World Cup matches in the San Francisco Bay Area for Xinhua News Agency of China, documenting the excitement and energy of an international sporting event watched by millions.

"Throughout the tournament, I learned a tremendous amount about working under pressure, filing on deadline, and documenting one of the world's biggest sporting events," Julian said. "I also had the chance to meet and become friends with several talented visual journalists representing different news outlets around the world, which made the experience even more rewarding."

Following the World Cup, Julian relocated to Sacramento to begin a visual journalism internship with The Sacramento Bee, where he is expanding his experience in both photography and multimedia reporting. The internship allows him to cover local news through still images and video while continuing to refine his skills as a visual storyteller.

Looking ahead, Julian hopes to pursue opportunities in New York City, where he plans to continue building a career in photojournalism and visual media.

From his undergraduate studies at Boston University to earning a graduate degree from Stanford and now reporting on major international events, Julian's journey reflects the curiosity, dedication, and global perspective that continue to define Fryeburg Academy alumni. We congratulate Julian on all he has accomplished and look forward to following the stories he captures in the years to come.