Pinar Istek

Pinar Istek is a photo editor for the Chicago Tribune. Previously, she worked as a photo editor for Tribune Content Agency.

Retired photographer Steve Lasker, 78, at his home in Lincolnwood on Nov. 21, 2008, holding a photo he took during the fire at Our Lady of Angels grade school in Chicago on Dec. 1, 1958. One of the worst tragedies in Chicago’s history, the fire took the lives of 92 children and three nuns. (Bonnie Trafelet/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Seeing Chicago through the eyes of photojournalist Steve Lasker

May 5, 2025 at 10:57 a.m.

Steve Lasker, a pioneering photojournalist in Chicago, spent decades photographing the life in and around the city. From devastating tragedies like the fire at Our Lady of the Angels School...

Beatriz Whitford-Rodriguez, left, 13, of Skinner North Classical School reacts after winning the 2025 Citywide Spelling Bee Championship, alongside Kwame Boateng, of McDade Classical School, at Curie Metropolitan High School on March 13, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: 2025 Citywide Spelling Bee Championship

March 13, 2025 at 8:23 p.m.

CPS students, grades first through eighth, competed in the 2025 Citywide Spelling Bee Championship at Marie Curie Metropolitan High School on March 13, 2025. Winner Beatriz Whitford-Rodriguez, right, 13, of...

Mourners gather at Caribe Funeral Home on March 13, 2025, during the visitation for Zulma Daniela Calderon Pacheco, 21, who died after being shot at Mansion Live nightclub in Stone Park. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Mourners remember Zulma Daniela Calderon Pacheco

March 13, 2025 at 7:45 p.m.

The wake of Zulma Daniela Calderon Pacheco, 21, was held at Caribe Funeral Home on March 13, 2025. Calderon Pacheco was killed Saturday after being shot in the face at...

David Gonzalez, from left, Andrea Bryson, Laura Still and Kim Hedlin celebrate after coming in second place in a monthly puzzle race at Snakes & Lattes Chicago in Logan Square on March 9, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Logan Square venue hosts a monthly puzzle race

March 11, 2025 at 6:59 p.m.

On Sunday, teams of up to four people competed in the monthly puzzle race at Snakes & Lattes Chicago. Lizzy Alvarez and Maddie Bouchie, two of the first place winners...

Zonique Yeager, sits on her mother Emily Thies’ shoulders as thousands march to Trump Tower for International Women's Day on March 8, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Chicago’s rally and march for International Women’s Day

March 9, 2025 at 4:45 p.m.

On March 8, Chicago area activists marched from Daley Plaza then to Trump Tower in celebration of International Women's Day.

Adrien Brody, from left, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "The Brutalist," Mikey Madison, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Anora," Zoe Saldana, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "Emilia Perez," and Kieran Culkin, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for "A Real Pain," pose in the press room at the Oscars on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Photos: 97th Academy Awards

March 3, 2025 at 8:19 a.m.

Nuns pray for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome on Feb. 22, 2025, where the pontiff had been hospitalized since Feb. 14. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Photos: Masses pray for Pope Francis as he remains in critical condition

February 24, 2025 at 8:33 a.m.

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis, 88, was still in critical condition Sunday but "remains alert and well-oriented” and took part in Mass on Sunday morning. The Vatican said "some...

Zoe Saldana, winner of the supporting actress award for "Emilia Perez," poses at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, or BAFTAs, in London on Feb. 16, 2025. (Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Photos: 78th British Academy Film Awards

February 16, 2025 at 5:56 p.m.

Papal thriller “Conclave” won four prizes including best picture on Sunday at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, where “The Brutalist” equaled the awards tally of “Conclave," scooping four trophies,...

People come out of Lake Michigan after participating in the Chicago Polar Bear Club’s 24th annual Polar Plunge at Oak Street Beach on Jan. 25, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Chicago Polar Bear Club’s annual Polar Plunge

January 27, 2025 at 10:27 a.m.

People plunge into freezing Lake Michigan during Chicago Polar Bear Club 24th annual Polar Plunge event at Oak Street Beach on Jan. 25, 2025.

Chicago White Sox ACE program volunteer Paris Head helps pack pasta into a bag at a MLK Day of Service event at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in Archer Heights, Jan. 20, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: MLK events in Chicago

January 20, 2025 at 5:33 p.m.

Ten fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago competed for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr....

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