Jun
82025
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
What happens to a photojournalist’s archive—both analog and digital—when it spans hundreds of thousands of images? And what is at stake if we lose it? With the industry at a crossroads and few institutions able to absorb work at this scale, the legacy of those who have spent a lifetime bearing witness is at risk. In this conversation, Kira Pollack explores how technology might help solve issues of preservation, discoverability, and access. Drawing on her present work as a Walter Shorenstein Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and at the Starling Lab (Stanford/USC), Pollack shares insights from projects with the archives of David Guttenfelder and Christopher Morris. A short presentation will open the session, followed by an interactive discussion on emerging strategies, challenges, and best practices.
Kira Pollack is a pioneering photo editor and creative director known for her innovative work in visual storytelling, multimedia, and digital platforms. She led Vanity Fair‘s visual direction, overseeing 50+ covers. Previously, at TIME, she launched Red Border Films and LightBox. Pollack’s work has earned two Emmys, a Lucie Award, five National Magazine Awards, and more. She is currently a Shorenstein Fellow at Harvard.
CatchLight is a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit that believes art is vital and the highest form of hope. They serve as a transformational force, supporting artists and creating programs that accelerate the social impact of visual storytelling to improve the world by informing how we see and understand each other.
In 2017, CatchLight launched its fellowship program, honoring three storytellers who demonstrated excellence in the use of photography and art as a catalyst to spark new conversations. Each fellow received an award of $30,000 and entered a partnership with an established media outlet to collaborate on a year-long project focused on driving social change.
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