Former Combat Camera photographer focuses on 315AW

  • Published
  • By Michael Dukes
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  (Story updated with new photo slide show)

Stacy Pearsall, a retired Air Force photojournalist who served with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, recently aimed her lens at reservists here as part of her Palmetto Portrait Project-inspired photo collection on display in the South Carolina Museum.

"I spent many memorable years in the Air Force and there is nothing more honorable than serving one's country," Pearsall said.  "Given my connection with the Air Force Base and its mission, I decided to include the 315th Airlift Wing in my focus." She is giving a free digital copy of each person's portrait, and she also plans to hold an expo at her photo studio the Charleston Center for Photography on Veterans Day later this year. 

While here she photographed men and women at the 315th in various areas including: aircrew, security forces, explosive ordinance disposal, firefighters, aerial port, Red Horse, aerospace medicine, aeromedical evacuation, aircraft maintainers and more. The accompanying photos are just a glimpse of her first visit to the Wing. She plan two more visits to get a full representation of the 315th.

"I volunteered to be photographed for the opportunity to represent the 560th Red Horse squadron," said SrA Nicole Kelly, 560 RHS unit training manager. "Stacy Pearsall is a great photographer and I know that it takes hard work coupled with natural talent to be as good as she is. She's a great example of the caliber of women who have served our country. It was a great opportunity and she was super friendly and enjoyable to work with."

Years of expertise at working in a variety of military scenarios helped build a report between the Pearsall and those she was photographing. She quickly put them at ease and coached each person so that she could get the best shot to capture the essence of who they were and what their specialty was. By using three strategically located flashes along with her digital camera, she was able to add an element of drama to achieve the level of award winning photography that she is known for.

Pearsall is a 12-year combat veteran who traveled to over 40 countries with every branch of the armed forces documenting combat and humanitarian relief efforts with her camera. She is one of only two women to win the Military Photographer of the Year competition, and the only woman to have won it twice. During her three tours in Iraq, she earned the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star Medal and Commendation with Valor for heroic actions under fire.

Her work has been published in various national and international media as well as documentaries. She has shared her experiences as a female combat photojournalist with the world through Popular Photography, Newsweek and the Oprah show.

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