Noted photographer to describe how photography can become a therapy, Oct. 29

Photography can be an art, a craft, and a profession, but the National Press Club's Photography Team will hear from a practitioner for whom photography has more personal meaning. Michael McCoy will describe to Club members how photography became his therapy in a virtual conversation -- open to all Club members -- Thursday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m.

Club members can register for the event on the Club website.

McCoy is a freelancer whose work appears in Time magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and Getty Images among others. He also works for corporate and government clients. But there's much more to McCoy's story. In an email, McCoy tells Photo Committee co-chair Cheriss May:.

"As a Baltimore native and disabled veteran, having served two tours in Iraq, photography has been a very critical therapeutic outlet. Photography enables me to navigate through my life’s journey by capturing the joy in others. I always make it a purpose to respect my subjects because not only are they allowing me and my lens into their lives, but they are also – sometimes without realizing it – are providing incredible healing for me.

"I take great pride in my work and connecting with my subjects on a personal level, which, in turn, allows my clients to feel comfortable enough to return. Whenever I look through the viewfinder and my trigger finger onto the shutter, it also literally triggers an escape of the traumatic memories experienced during my rotations in Iraq. The camera is my saving sanctuary."

McCoy will talk with May about his life and work in a Zoom session . McCoy will also take questions through Zoom's chat feature.

Questions? Contact Alan Kotok, Photo Committee co-chair at [email protected].