Paul Kitagaki Jr. has officially retired from The Sacramento Bee after a 23-year tenure, marking the end of an extensive 48-year career in visual journalism. Throughout his time at the publication, Kitagaki contributed more than 5,000 images, capturing major events ranging from NBA playoffs and the World Series to the FIFA World Cup and local wildfire coverage.
His professional path began in 1978. In 1989, he shared a Pulitzer Prize while at the San Jose Mercury News for coverage of the Loma Prieta earthquake. His work often brought him to the front lines of significant historical events, including the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Over the decades, his portfolio documented the political leaders, athletic feats, and natural disasters that defined the region.
Beyond his daily news assignments, Kitagaki dedicated significant time to a long-term documentary project titled Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit. This effort explores the lives of Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II. The project was deeply personal, sparked by the discovery that Dorothea Lange had documented his own parents during their forced removal.
In retirement, Kitagaki intends to focus on this ongoing project, which has already resulted in a published book and a traveling museum exhibition. He also has plans to attend and photograph the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The Sacramento Bee celebrated his contributions by showcasing his favorite selections from a body of work that spans nearly half a century.
As he departs, Kitagaki expressed appreciation for the support he received from his colleagues and his wife, Renée C. Byer, who is also an accomplished visual journalist. His influence on the documentation of Sacramento history remains a permanent fixture of the archives.