Copyright © Jared Moossy
Jared Moossy (b. 1980) is a Texan-born documentary photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City in May of 2008. His interest in photography goes hand in hand with his interest in current events and social issues. His professional career has mostly been focused on the changing country of Afghanistan and the heightened tension of Mexico’s internal war on drugs.
Jared attended the Eddie Adams Workshop in 2008 and won the PDN Photo Annual and Marty Forscher Fellowship Fund in 2008. Jared has also won the PDN 30 in 2009. He has worked with and been published in Newsweek, Time, The Wall Street Journal, Stern, Conde Nast Traveler, Die Zeit and several others. Moossy is represented by Redux Pictures and is part of Razon, an international collective of visual storytellers pursuing stories independently.
Academy A: You have done extensive coverage on the changing landscape in Afghanistan, I’m curious about your thoughts on what it’s like to work there. Do you find that you can work easily with the people you encounter or is it always a stressful situation where you fear for your safety?
Jared Moossy: It has its moments. There are and will always be times where there is that stress, or nervousness for one’s safety. Afghanistan in general is a friendly country and overall the people are very friendly. It’s just outside influences or the bad apples that are ruining it for us. I would also say it’s never easy, there is always some barrier that you have to overcome and some boundary you have to cross.
Copyright © Jared Moossy
Academy A: I’m doing a project on Lee Miller at the moment and looking at your piece covering the conflict in Georgia really reminded me of her work. There’s a beauty and rawness to your images that shines through even in desperate situations. Where do you get your inspiration from and how did you develop your style?
JM: I think my style is still developing every time I pick up the camera, whether shooting in black and white or color, its always continuing to grow. I feel like since Georgia, a year ago, my style has grown significantly. I think it’s really important to look at all types of photography, not just journalism. Some of the work I’m most inspired and influenced by is simple, clean, and focused on art or an idea, not a cause and effect reaction.
Academy A: As a photojournalist who travels the world and observes many different cultures, what are your thoughts on citizen journalism? Are we witnessing a new wave of covering news through modern technology or is this a passing fad that will have people craving for more serious journalism?
JM: I think citizen journalism is great, and important, unfortunately it’s just detrimental to the idea of following journalism as a career. We are in a huge transitional period and it will be interesting to see where it evolves too. The Internet is really changing the way things work for a journalist and it is really changing the idea of whether photojournalism can continue to be a career path.
Copyright © Jared Moossy
Academy A: I noticed that you have begun experimenting with multimedia, I watched the video you did of your recent trip to Afghanistan on your agency website and found it to be an interesting extension of your still photography. Is this something you feel will be demanded of photojournalists in the future, in addition to any photo essays, clients will also want some kind of multimedia presentation?
JM: I think it’s important to change with the tide and I believe sooner or later that photojournalism will really turn into video journalism. People’s attention span is getting shorter and shorter, and video is a way to capture that falling attention span.
Academy A: I’m always excited to see someone young like yourself succeed and gain respect in a tough industry, where do you see yourself going in the future?
JM: That’s a tough question and I appreciate the compliment. As far as the future, I’m happy for the time I have now and I just hope and aspire to be able to go with the flow and adapt when need be, whether through video or other means. I just want to be piece of the puzzle that helps the world see the bigger picture. If that involves work at home or abroad…I just want to take pictures and I think that’s what its all about
Academy A: Finally, what advice do you have for the new generation of photojournalists that you wish someone had given to you?
JM: Be prepared for a changing institution and be prepared to change with it. We are at an uncertain time as far as journalism and an uncertain time in the shifting economy and world. Be open to that idea of change. Learn video and think about what will sell and keep you afloat. If you want to do this kind of work then just shoot and don’t stop…You should be taking pictures everyday.
Copyright © Jared Moossy
