How do you create community in a profession that sends you to all corners of the world on your own, often in danger zones?

It is a surprisingly small world of photographers who cover conflict and global humanitarian crises. Over the years, from Afghanistan to Iraq to Ukraine, I have seen many of the same colleagues and we try to take time to have dinner, catch up and check in with each other.

Was there a particular teacher or mentor who helped you turn your career aspirations into reality?

Bebeto Matthews from the Associated Press helped me learn how to read a room, to understand and use natural light, to get closer to my subjects, and to be patient. I worked closely with him from 1997 to 2000 while freelancing for AP in New York, and those skills have helped me over the years.

There have also just been incredibly generous photographers and writers who have taught me small, indelible lessons about how to get access to and cover war for the past two decades: from Kathy Gannon, who was AP in Afghanistan and Pakistan, to Ruth Fremson at the New York Times during the fall of the Taliban, Carl Juste of the Miami Herald in Iraq, Elizabeth Rubin from 2003 to 2010 basically everywhere, to simply just observing James Nachtwey from afar as he worked.

You’re faced with tragedy and countless atrocities in your work. How important is staying hopeful about the world amid often grim realities?

It’s basically everything: I must continue to find beauty in the people and stories I cover, or I wouldn’t be able to continue doing this work for more than two decades. It sounds cliché, but [even though] I see the most horrific side of humanity, I also see the most beautiful, touching moments of resilience, generosity and, oddly, humor. I have learned to stay hopeful from the people I cover.

Editor's note: In conjunction with the exhibition, Addario sat down with New York Times Director of Photography Kathy Ryan for a discussion about their professional relationship and Addario’s extensive career. You can watch that full YouTube discussion here or click on the age-gated video below, which will take you to YouTube.

Features

As her SVA Masters Series exhibition gets extended to December, the acclaimed and celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer discusses her craft and point of view in a new Q&A.