Back in February, I interviewed with Urbanite magazine for a position as an editorial intern. I was genuinely excited at the prospect, but surprisingly not nervous. I already had a part-time job, and I knew my writing samples were strong, even if I didn’t get the position. But I had a great chat with the assistant editor and was hired on the spot. Then I was nervous. I wanted to impress my editors, and that meant I’d have to step up my game. I guess I succeeded, because my unpaid internship transitioned into a second part-time job.

My contributor bio for the June 2012 issue. I was so excited, I didn’t even care that my photo captured me awkwardly growing out my bangs.

Countless miles, a thousand checked facts, a few published articles/blurbs, and seven months later, the publisher of Urbanite sat me down and told me the magazine would be shutting down for good.

To say the least, it’s a shame that one of Baltimore’s most important publications fell victim to the dying print industry’s plight. Urbanite featured top-notch journalism on topics ranging from sustainability to education, and it had a decidedly positive (yet realistic) view of the city of Baltimore and its struggles. The free, glossy magazine didn’t just point out the city’s problems—it suggested improvements and solutions to them. I learned a hell of a lot reading the articles every month, and it was humbling to imagine ever being as good as those more established writers. So it was a very strange and sad thing to watch it come to an end just months after jumping on-board myself.

One of my favorite things about working there for the short time that I did was the beautiful space Urbanite occupied. It was set in Clipper Mill park, an historic old foundry converted into retail space, offices, and lofts that maintained its integrity and housed local artists and business owners. I took these shots (below) over the summer, possibly hoping some of the magic and creativity would rub off on me.

Despite the sad fact that Urbanite no longer graces the magazine stands on the streets, I’m not discouraged about pursuing my own career in writing. Writers will always write, no matter what the format. They just have to be willing to evolve.