AFP photo chief to discuss freelance war photography at Photo Committee meeting, noon, July 10

Mladen Antonov, director of photography for North America, Agence France-Presse (AFP), will discuss "The Year of Freelance War Photographers" at a luncheon meeting of the National Press Club Photography Committee at noon, July 10, in the McClendon Room.

Antonov will first describe the services of AFP, including how the photo service produces 3,500 or more news images each day. He will then explain the specifics of financing, security, logistics and access for freelance photographers working in war zones, such as Syria, Libya, Mali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Antonov will also explain why AFP continues to use freelancers despite the presence of staff photographers on the ground, and how AFP tries to keep its freelancers' spirits up.

All Club members and their guests are welcome. No reservations are required.

Antonov will also present a special gift to the Club -- a copy of a Pulitzer-Prize winning photo shot by Javier Manzano, a freelance photographer based in Turkey, working for Agence France-Presse. Manzano won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography for this extraordinary photo of two Syrian rebels guarding their position in Aleppo. Click here to see the photo.

Antonov will present the Pulitzer photo to Club President Angela Greiling Keane, who will accept it on behalf of the Club. The photo will hang in a place of honor on the Club's walls, along with the other Pulitzer photos. This is the second year in a row that a photographer working for AFP has won a Pulitzer prize.

Please join us for this special presentation.