Trailblazers: Powerful Women of Photography the Stacy Pearsall Interview
Join our own Mia McCormick as she sits down with Stacy and delves into topics that range from how Stacy got started in photography after joining the Air Force at age 17 to the obstacles she had to overcome as a female airman in combat situations, and from what it takes to make tough choices in chaotic situations to the process of transitioning to civilian life after being combat disabled and retired from military service. This interview kicks off our Trailblazer interview series on powerful women in photography; women who have the courage to tell stories about complicated issues, often under extreme and dangerous situations, and who are among the first female professionals to excel in their chosen discipline of photography.
Release Date: 2014-09-22
Lessons
On Getting Started
<p>Serving in the military is a family tradition for Stacy, but when it came time to choose an occupation within the military Stacy knew she wanted to do something creative, but it was photography that chose her.</p>
Duration: 12 mins 57 seconds
On Overcoming Challenges
<p>Being Air Force among Army, a woman among men, and being a photographer among people who didn't want to be documented was the trifecta of challenges to overcome when starting out as a combat photographer.</p>
Duration: 14 mins 21 seconds
On Making Tough Choices
<p>As a combat photographer you are sometimes forced to make tough choices in extremely chaotic, dangerous, and stressful situations. It can be really tough to keep putting the mission first in the face of huge loss.</p>
Duration: 14 mins 43 seconds
On Being a Combat Photographer
<p>From the gear to pushing through the pain of injury, Stacy shares some of her thinking about what being a combat photographer means to her.</p>
Duration: 13 mins 6 seconds
On Transitioning From the Military
<p>The journey from a medical retirement to civilian life is challenging for all veterans in different ways. While in rehab for her injuries Stacy found that her photography offered her a new opportunity for healing, growth, and fulfillment.</p>
Duration: 12 mins 36 seconds