James Nachtwey speaking at the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, 2024.
Hearing him share his life’s work reminded me why I chose this profession. His courage, empathy, and relentless pursuit of truth have shaped generations of visual storytellers — myself included. But what James did can’t be repeated. His path was uniquely his — forged by moments, conflicts, and convictions that only he could have lived. The best way we can honor that is not by trying to walk his road, but by finding our own stories to tell with the same integrity and compassion.
I’ve sat through countless presentations by incredible photographers — people whose work makes you want to grab your camera and run out the door to create something just as powerful. But I’ve learned over the years: those speakers aren’t giving you a map to follow. They’re showing you what’s possible.
Their stories are meant to inspire you, not to be copied by you.
Each has walked a road filled with unique experiences, challenges, and opportunities that shaped who they are as visual storytellers. You can learn from their techniques, admire their vision, and even borrow bits of their wisdom — but you can’t (and shouldn’t) try to live their story.
Photography is deeply personal. What you bring to a frame — your perspective, values, and curiosity— makes your work different from everyone else’s.
So as you sit in on talks or workshops, listen closely. Take notes. Let their stories spark something inside you. But when you pick up your camera again, make work that’s true to you.
“Don’t be a second-rate version of someone else; be a first-rate version of yourself.” — Judy Garland
Let their stories light your fire, not draw your outline. Your path will look different — and that’s precisely the point.
