Words of wisdom

Ed Kashi

Ed Kashi is highly awarded American photojournalist and member of VII Photo. He explores geopolitical and social issues that define our times. He’s also a dedicated educator and mentor to photographers around the world who lectures frequently on visual storytelling, human rights, and the world of media. Among his very many awards from World Press Photo, American Photography, Communication Arts, PDN, and POYi is first place in UNICEF’s Photo of the Year for his image of 9-year-old Ly, one of the children he photographed for his story on the lasting genetic effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Find your passion

“You must know what you’re great at doing and what you want to do, and focus on that. No one is great at everything, so to achieve true greatness is to find your passion and your strengths, and build on them.” This advice was given to me by Gilles Peress in 1989, in a bar in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was significant for me at that early stage in my career, because it came from someone I was inspired by and whose documentary work I admired. He was also already a legend for his work in Northern Ireland, among so much more. I was in the midst of my first large, multi-year personal project. It helped clarify my mind and give me permission to pursue my own vision and goals.

Be true to yourself

The one thing I wish I’d learned earlier is that to look for external confirmation can