VIII

Kelli Nicole just told me about VII Photo Agency.

VII derives its name from the number of founding photo-journalists who, in September 2001, formed this collectively owned agency. Designed from the outset to be an efficient, technologically enabled distribution hub for some of the world’s finest photojournalism, VII has been responsible for creating and relaying to the world many of the images that define the turbulent opening years of the 21st century.

Alexandra Boulat, Ron Haviv, Gary Knight, Antonin Kratochvil, Christopher Morris, James Nachtwey and John Stanmeyer were joined in 2002 by Lauren Greenfield and in 2004 by Joachim Ladefoged. Marcus Bleasdale and Franco Pagetti joined in November 2007. Together they document conflict - environmental, social and political, both violent and non-violent - to produce an unflinching record of the injustices created and experienced by people caught up in the events they describe.

On September 9th 2001, VII announced its formation. On the following night, covering for the missed return flight of a colleague, James Nachtwey arrived at his Manhattan apartment close to the World Trade Center. The next morning, he photographed some of the most haunting pictures of the collapse of the towers, at the same time eloquently conveying the destruction of a way of life.

These photo essays are incredibly inspiring. Often gut wrenching. Real.

Some of my favorites include:

The Albino Killings photo essay by Marcus Bleasdale.

BibiAna 10 and her sister Tendyebua 8 wait in the hospital compound in the hospital in Gaita, Tanzania. BibiAna was amputated at night by people who believe Albino body parts used in conjunction with other traditional medicines can help them become rich in the mining and fishing industries. The people who attacked and amputated BibiAnnas leg have been taken into custody. Over 19 Albinos have been killed in Tanzania in the past 2 years.

The Japan photo essay by Gary Knight.

Geisha

The Cheerleaders photo essay by Joachim Ladefoged.

The University of Kentucky cheerleading squad is the best in the United States. The team has won the national championships 14 times in the last 20 years. There are an estimated 3 million cheerleaders in the U.S.

The Child Brides photo essay by Stephanie Sinclair. (Warning: Some female nudity, seen in photos of women having their bandages cleaned in a hospital.)

Portrait of soon-to-be-wed Faiz Mohammed, 40, and Ghulam Haider, 11, at her home in a rural village of Ghor province. When asked how she felt that day, the bewildered girl responded, ‘I do not know this man. What am I supposed to feel?’

The kids + money photo essay by Lauren Greenfield.

Gabby, 16, in her home in the upscale Pacific Palisades, CA, neighborhood with her friend Alyssa, 16. Gabby and Alyssa think kids go overboard by spending “4-digits” on clothes to wear to school, a cost they see as only justifiable for a nice purse.

The Tyra Banks: Media Mogul photo essay by Lauren Greenfield. (I love America’s Next Top Model and it was fun to see some behind the scenes photos).

Tyra Banks, 34, has adjustments made between shooting auditions for the upcoming 11th cycle of America’s Next Top Model, Los Angeles, CA.

The Cuddle Party photo essay by Lauren Greenfield. (There are no words for how much this idea freaks me out.)

Amy, 31, Hugo, Rebecca, 31, and Kenny, 25, at a Cuddle Party.

The Obesity photo essay by Lauren Greenfield.

Marissa, 15, Nicole, 16, Jessie, 14, and Marin, 14, some of the members of the popular clique, during the first week of weight-loss camp, Catskills, New York.

I really loved this one. The American Beauty photo essay by Lauren Greenfield.

After searching for the most beautiful woman she could find on the streets of New York City, casting agent Jennifer Starr introduced me to Sarah Ziff. I subsequently spent several days photographing her in her daily life, exploring the questions “what is life like for the beautiful?” and “is beauty power?” Whether positively or negatively, there is no doubt that it influences every aspect of her interaction with the world. As Sara remarked, “I don’t want to come off as arrogant, but it is a reality of my life.”

Sara steps out onto the street. Her boyfriend usually lets her hail the cabs, some of which even stop for her when they’re off duty.

I’m going to stop now because I think I could go on forever. :)