Member of the Month August 2021 Kirk McKoy
What is your current position and who is your employer?
I recently took the buyout for the Los Angeles Times, July 2021, and am right now setting up my freelance business. I am currently based in Washington D.C. but I am looking to relocate back to California.
Clerk of the House of Representatives, Cheryl L. Johnson and Acting Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives, Tim Blodgett, lead the Impeachment managers through the Capitol Rotunda while heading to deliver the Articles of Impeachment of former US President Donald Trump.
When did you become a PPAGLA member?
That's an excellent Question! I can't remember. I believe I joined back in 1990.
In turning on Donald Trump, American EU ambassador Gordon M. Sondland, who was sporting a nifty $55,000 Breguet watch today, performed what amounted to a timely jailbreak from the administration. ‘Was there a “quid pro quo”?’ he said before Congress. ‘The answer is yes.’ Sondland, in other words, he stepped out from the shadow of President Trump and was done being a yes-man.
How long have you been a photojournalist and how did you get started?
Professionally I started photojournalism in 1982 working for the Journal Newspaper in the Washington D.C. area. We had an impressive young staff: Doug Mills (now with the New York Times), Martin Smith-Rodden (now Professor of Photojournalism at Ball State), Tracey Woodward (now with the Washington Post) to name a few of the most notables. My first paid gig was a freelance job for the Associated Press covering a Ted Kennedy speech in 1980 run for the Presidency. I credit my college roommates, Martin Smith-Rodden, Geoff Baker and Jim Walsh for steering me to photojournalism. I was a Graphic Design major in College with an interest in photography.
Thousands supporter celebrate at Times Square in New York the Biden/Harris historic win. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff walk the last few feet as they arrive at the White House after the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Please share some career highlights:
The biggest highlight of my career was covering the L.A. Riots in 1992. We won the Pulitzer that year! i am also very proud of the work from the Northridge Earthquake in 1996. I was also the National Black Journalist Photographer of the year for 1993 for the Work done on the Riots. There are numerous awards over the years and I will not mention them all but the bigger highlights were serving on the Board of PPGLA as Vice President and helping young photographers with the craft. And, receiving several awards of appreciation for community service from the city of Los Angeles ( my adopted home). Being recognized by my fellow Angelianos means the world.
(l to r) Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender, both actors in the movie 12 YEARS A SLAVE. They were photographed at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, CA.
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Storyboard artist and aspiring filmmaker named Jeff Henderson (left), has made a short Star Wars fan movie called "The Sable Corsair" that is a finalist in a Lucasfilm Star Wars fan film contest. Nick Finch, co-directed this Star Wars fan movie with Henderson. (kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
CNN anchor Don Lemon says he has found his groove in the network’s coverage of the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest in response to it. As the only African American prime time host in cable news, he is savoring the opportunity to help drive the national discourse on race and the use of police force. He’s also helping lift CNN’s ratings to their highest level in history. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angles Times)
What advice do you have for students and those hoping to become photojournalists?
The biggest advice I give to young photographers coming into the business is not about photography or working with the camera. My biggest advice is to learn to be a good writer, A photojournalist who can shoot and write can set his or her ticket to any job in the country. Do any assignment and be able to take control of your own stories from start to finish. Be a complete journalist not just a photojournalist!
The musician Moby is following in the footsteps of his long-distant ancestor Herman Melville and turning to the literary arena, with a memoir, PORCELAIN, due out next summer 2016. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory actress, wrapped her last day of shooting in New York City for the upcoming HBO Max series, The Flight Attendant. The show has been a passion project for its star and producer Cuoco for almost three years. Kaley said it's a bittersweet goodbye to the cast and crew, penning a heartfelt thank you on social media.
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angles Times)
What is something you know now that you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
Advice that I now readily share about being a complete journalist! Create your own story ideas...be proactive not reactive in storytelling.
“WE WILL NOT REST” vows a rioter during the first night of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.
A HUGGIES RUN — A looter runs past the Jon’s Market on 3rd Street on the second day of the LA Riots 1992.
What is your favorite part of being a PPAGLA member?
The comradery of the organization! Seeing what the other guys and girls are doing. And, it is awesome that the member are willing to share their ideas and approaches to the craft.
Stone washed jeans and denim are making a comeback in the workforce, reminscent of the cultural icon Rosie the Riveter who was symbolic of American women who worked in factories during World War II. The many styles for spring come in skinny, straight, torn, short and long norms. They look grunge as if they have been worn for several years. Tough and sleek, work wear inspired this seasons denim shot at the CM denim wash house in Gardena, CA. Lauren Garrison wears Raven Denim jeans, Rails button down shirt, Diesel leather belt. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Jim Hunt rides a horse in the rodeo, his chaps form what looks like wing for the horse maned Pegasus. Mandatory Credit: Kirk McKoy/The LA Times
Kirk Triplett earned his first career PGA Tour victory at the Nissan Open Sunday 20, Feb. 2000, by making parr on the 18th green. Triplett shot a 67 for the day and 272 for the tournament. The Scottsdale AZ resident finished the day. (Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times)
Director Spike Lee gives the Black-Power fist raised when he talked about his movie BLACKKKLANSMAN, is Lee’s most critically heralded and accessible effort in over a decade. The film represents another opportunity for one of society’s most distinctive voices to make a statement at a time when America’s politics on race and identity are at their most fractured in a generation. The film was released on the anniversary of a white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., where counterprotest resulted in the death of 32-year-old Heather Heyer, after a Nazi supporter drove a car into the protesters.
Connect With Kirk:
Website (under construction): http://kirkmckoyphotography.com