Adrian Crooks is known across Houston as an award-winning KPRC Channel 2 photojournalist and (by everyone who knows him) a jovial brother who laughs often – and loud.
Although Crooks comes across as outgoing and quick with a joke, the movie that best represents who he truly is might surprise people: The Inkwell, starring Larenz Tate.
“The movie reflected me, a person growing up, staying to myself and being by myself sometimes, reflecting on life, someday sitting on the beach,” said Crooks, a Galveston native. “Seeing life for what it is and striving to be the best man I can be.”
Journey to photojournalism
Crooks’ path into journalism wasn’t direct. The 8-year-old Crooks wanted to become a firefighter or football player. But college opened a new door.
After enrolling at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Crooks felt called to explore the world and meet people from different cultures.
“The school that I attended had a broadcast program that I ended up getting in and learning a lot of different things,” he said. “You would have to go out and shoot your own videos and stuff like that. From there, I said, ‘You know, there’s something for me in this journalism.’”
He tried radio first, but soon transitioned into television.
“I worked at KFOR in Oklahoma, Channel 4. After that, I went to Vegas and worked at KSMV, News Channel 3. Eventually, I came down here to Houston in 2018, to work for KPRC News Channel 2,” shared Crooks.
Favorite story covered
When asked to share his favorite story covered, Crooks first shared his experience witnessing the Houston Astros’ World Series victory. But after reflecting, he offered another favorite.
“The most memorable one to me, really, is actually attending the Olympics. I got to travel to four Olympics: Brazil, PyeongChang in South Korea, Tokyo, and also this last one in Paris,” he said. “Covering those Olympics is my reward, because I got to do that and actually see different cultures, countries, you name it.”
Most challenging story covered
For all the excitement of major sporting events, Crooks says some assignments leave a mark on his heart.
“People say, ‘Well, how do you deal with tragedy or different challenges, somebody dying or car wrecks?’ I think when someone loses a kid, that’s the toughest,” he said.
Though Crooks doesn’t have children, the pain still hits hard.
“You see the pain and the hurt… It’s the suffering that these people are going through,” Crooks shared. “I think that’s kind of hard for me sometimes because you really want to be there for these people. But at the same time, you’re doing a story.
“People ask, ‘Do you go to therapy to cope?’ I just embrace the pain that these people are feeling because it kind of hurts me as well,” he said.
Surprising aspects of photojournalism
Crooks says many viewers don’t realize how much goes into producing a single TV news package.
“I think the most surprising thing is how we put the story together,” Crooks explained. “A lot of people think you come out and film the story, and then you maybe send it back to the station, and this magical editor puts it together. Well, no.
“Actually, we go out, we interview people, we get all these beauty shots. After that, the reporter has to write it, and then they dump it back on us, and we have to put it all together.”
And that’s not all.
“You have to shoot, edit, and then if something breaks on the truck itself, you have to be your own engineer. It’s a lot… but you have to make it work,” Crooks added.
Joy of the job
Despite its intensity, photojournalism fills Crooks with a sense of purpose.
“One thing about this field is you get to learn about different people’s stories,” he said. “My thing was to get into this field to understand people’s mental state, people’s stories… and share those stories with other people who might be dealing with it.”
He also cherishes the cultural experiences the job offers.
Crooks shared, “I want to get to understand other cultures and see how we can all actually come together and spread the love with each other.”
Colleagues appreciate Crooks’ work
Carlos Spann, who worked with Crooks early in his career, still remembers his drive.
“Adrian is one of the best guys I’ve ever worked with,” Spann said. “He was so eager… he absorbed all the knowledge that he could. Before you knew it, every reporter was requesting to work with Adrian. He becomes friends with nearly everyone that he meets.”
KPRC News Anchor Keith Garvin agrees with Spann.
“Crooks is not only great at what he does, he loves his job as a photojournalist,” said Garvin. “I have had the opportunity to not only work with him on a nightly basis covering news that matters to Houston, but also nationally and internationally for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo and Paris.
“Crooks is always going to give his best effort because his craft and every story he works on matters to him.”
Advice for aspiring photojournalists
Crooks’ advice comes with a laugh.
“I would say run. I’m just joking,” he said. “But seriously… if you’re a talented young lady or young man, I would say do it. Go out there, chase your dreams, chase your goals… Don’t let anybody discourage you or tell you you can’t do it, because you actually can. You’ve just got to go out there and put the effort in, put your skillset to use.”
