Lynsey Addario
Lynsey Addario
Lynsey Addariois an American photojournalist. Her work often focuses on conflicts and human rights issues, especially the role of women in traditional societies...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPhotographer
Date of Birth13 November 1973
CountryUnited States of America
good
With photography, I always think that it's not good enough.
people
I think that more often than not, people underestimate me.
front history
Where in the world would I rather be than on the front line of history?
leaves
Every story takes its toll on me and leaves an impression on me.
follow life nice pack refugee single
If I'm doing a story on how a single mother copes in a refugee camp, I'll go to her tent; I'll follow her when she's working, see what her daily life is like, and try to pack that into one composition, with nice light, in one frame.
african cried dozens endured hardship hatred openly towards trauma unable westerners women
I interviewed dozens and dozens of African women who had endured more hardship and trauma than most Westerners even read about, and they ploughed on. I often openly cried during interviews, unable to process this violence and hatred towards women I was witnessing.
interest interested knew lied women
I knew that my interest lied in international stories. I was interested in how women were living under the Taliban, for example.
perspective
I think it's important to have perspective and to look at what you don't necessarily want to see.
according life taliban women worried
Photography of any living being, according to Taliban rule, was illegal. So when I went to Afghanistan, immediately I was worried about photographing people. But it was what I wanted: to show what life was like under the Taliban, specifically for women.
people willing
Americans are really lovely people - friendly, kind and willing to help you out.
concerned empathetic expect money people
Don't expect things to happen fast. Be empathetic with the people you are photographing. Don't be concerned about money.
covers familiar journalist
For a journalist who covers the Muslim world, we have responsibilities to be familiar with that culture and to know how to respond to that.
family
I come from a big family of hairdressers; they didn't read newspapers. I would say, 'I'm off to Afghanistan...' and they would say, 'Have fun!'
covered female less single
I didn't know a single female photographer who covered conflict who even had a boyfriend, much less a husband or a baby.