Eye Contact: Photojournalism Memoir by Luke Sharrett

Eye Contact: Photojournalism Memoir by Luke Sharrett

Photojournalism is a fascinating field, offering a real world view of what is going on. As a major fan of photographer Luke Sharrett, I was really excited to see that he put together a memoir about his photojournalism career.

Luke is an incredible photographer who captures people, places, and meaning around the world in a way that is just magic. The framing and composition of his work always fascinate me.

Check out some of his photojournalism work on Instagram if you want to see what I mean right now! More photos and stories from the memoir are collected below.

Luke Sharrett photo of former president Barack Obama

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on college affordability at the University of Nevada Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nev. on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Luke sent over a bit more info about Eye Contact. Keep reading for the full synopsis and to find out about the journey.  In his email to me, Luke shared: ‘I started writing as a pandemic project, and eventually realized that I could string my essays together into a memoir.’

Get Eye Contact on Luke’s website →

Luke Sharrett - Eye Contact Memoir

Eye Contact: A Memoir

Eye Contact is the story of a photographer’s decade-long journey in search of meaning and manhood. An experienced freelancer with the New York Times, author Luke Sharrett treats readers to a behind-the-scenes look at covering the White House and flying aboard Air Force One. Despite achieving professional success at a young age, he is haunted by a feeling that he simply doesn’t belong. He can’t seem to outrun a nagging fear that he doesn’t have what it takes to succeed in life. As he navigates his career, he begins searching for answers. Who am I? Where do I belong? Do I have what it takes?

The author’s mission to embody a heroic masculine archetype plays out over the course of a decade on the frontlines of the news industry. He leads the reader places few have had the privilege of experiencing for themselves. Whether embedded with Navy SEAL boat teams, chasing hurricanes on Florida’s Gulf Coast, or tagging along on Cajun Navy rescue missions through the flooded streets of Houston, Sharrett employs trademark humor and emotional vulnerability to craft a memoir brimming with stories of risk-taking and adventure. Follow along as he travels deep underground into an active coal mine in West Virginia and confronts the unknown at the Roswell crash site in New Mexico.

luke sharrett photo from eye contact memoir

President Barack Obama’s motorcade drives away from Air Force One at Dulles International Airport before traveling to Leesburg High School in Leesburg, Va. for a campaign event on Thursday, August 2, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Sharrett’s journey culminates with his participation in a mass parachute drop near the beaches of Normandy on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. To accomplish this he must confront his fears and transform into a man of courage, strength, and integrity. Eye Contact explores a subject that needs to be addressed now more than ever. In this day and age, what does it mean to be a man?

As a bonus, each chapter in Eye Contact has a corresponding online photo gallery. Simply visit this URL once you finish the chapter: www.LukeSphoto.com/memoir

eye contact photo book memoir by luke sharrett

Get Eye Contact on Luke’s here →

luke sharrett photograph from eye contact memoir

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