John G. Morris

I've written before about John G. Morris, renowned photo editor of such prestigious publications as the NY Times, Life Magazine, and the Washington Post. We recently attended a preview showing of a new documentary about Morris' life entitled Get the Picture by Irish filmmaker Cathy Pearson at the American Library in Paris. The film explores the work of photojournalists and their roles in the 20th and 21st century in bringing the world's attention to wars and other events, often at great personal peril. The film builds on many of the stories told before in Morris' book by the same name.

John Morris was present for a discussion following the film. He is now 96 years old! He walks slowly and chooses his words with care, but his mind and and sense of humor are still very much intact. Even more astonishing than the history of his long and productive life was his admission that he is in love. Married and widowed three times, he recently fell in love again - at age 93 - with Pat Trocmé.  Ms. Trocmé, herself a widow after 60 years of marriage, never imagined finding love again at the age of 86. The image of this couple, acting as giddy as teenagers, is truly an inspiration.

Authors evening - part 2

The AAPA meeting that I described yesterday was hosted by John Morris, graciously offering his home in the Marais. As a novice photographer, I was unfamiliar with the work of Morris, realizing only later his role in the rise of photojournalism. At 93, Morris has known 17 U.S. presidents, and as photo editor for Life Magazine, the Washington Post and NY Times, he shepherded some of the 20th century's most iconic images and most well-regarded photographers. You can read more about him here.


Morris spoke this evening about an upcoming auction in Paris of his Photo Diary - 225 photographic prints including rare vintage works by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and many others. Here is a flyer describing the auction.

This is just another example of the rare and wonderful encounters I've experienced while living in Paris.