Photographing Soledad O’Brien for FedEx’s Access Magazine at the 25th Annual Freedom Awards

Photographing Soledad O’Brien for FedEx’s Access Magazine at the 25th Annual Freedom Awards

As a photographer, there are moments when you know you’re documenting history in the making. One of those moments for me was photographing the renowned journalist and executive producer Soledad O’Brien for FedEx’s Access magazine during the 25th Annual Freedom Awards at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

The Freedom Awards are a powerful celebration of individuals who have made significant contributions to civil and human rights. In 2016, Soledad O’Brien was among the honorees, recognized for her outstanding storytelling, her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, and her work as the founder of Starfish Media Group. The energy at the museum that evening was electric, filled with leaders, visionaries, and changemakers, all gathered to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and those who carry his mission forward.

My assignment was to capture Soledad for an in-depth feature in Access magazine. She was gracious, focused, and deeply engaged with everyone she met. Photographing her in the museum’s historic spaces, surrounded by exhibits chronicling the struggle for civil rights, added a profound layer of meaning to every frame. It was clear that Soledad’s own work as a journalist, telling stories that matter, shining a light on injustice, and inspiring new generations was perfectly in step with the spirit of the Freedom Awards.

It’s not every day you get to photograph someone who has reported from the frontlines of history and whose own story is woven into the fabric of our times. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to capture Soledad O’Brien at such a meaningful event, and to contribute to a publication that celebrates access, progress, and the people who make it possible.