The Light of Documentary: Shaping Stories and Moments That Matter
Schedule
Wed Feb 18 2026 at 06:30 pm to 08:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
91 E 3rd St | New York, NY
About this Event
Join renowned documentary photographers ,, and for a panel discussion moderated by , exploring documentary practice, visual judgment, and the role of light in shaping stories and moments that matter.
Collectively, the panel represents decades of field experience across National Geographic assignments, long-form documentary projects, editorial leadership, and contemporary visual journalism. Their work spans cultures, conflicts, communities, and generations shaping not only images, but the standards by which documentary photography is practiced.
Through moderated discussion grounded in real assignments and real constraints, the panelists reflect on how moments are recognized, how editorial decisions are made under pressure, and how light is used to clarify meaning rather than embellish it.
Following the conversation, the panelists lead live lighting demonstrations with Harlowe lights, revealing how they approach documentary portraiture in practice.
The program concludes with a hands-on segment, where participants engage directly with the same professional lighting tools used during the demonstrations.
Meet the Photographers:
Ira Block is an internationally renowned photographer, teacher and lecturer who has produced over 30 stories for the National Geographic Magazine. He has led National Geographic Photo Workshops, Expeditions and private workshops to Mongolia, Bhutan, Cuba and Tibet where students learn about culture and photographic vision. His documentary photography work is balanced by a stable of commercial clients for whom he shoots portraits and corporate branding.
Ira can best be described as a cultural documentary photographer. He uses his cameras and lights to document people around the world, recording the change in traditions and practices. The changes are most often gradual, which is why he returns to a location time after time after time, helping us see these changes and appreciate them through his eyes—and through social media. Over 335,000 people currently follow him on Instagram. For Ira, this has become the new media for documentary photography. He has had photographic exhibitions around the world. As a Sony Artisan of Imagery, Ira is often called upon to comment and give critical feedback on the Sony products he uses to create his work. His latest book Cuba Loves Baseball: A Photographic Journey documents the culture of Cuba through its love for baseball and sports.
Robert Clark is a freelance photographer based in New York City, working with the world's leading magazines, publishers and cutting edge advertising campaigns, as well as the author of four monographs: Evolution A Visual Record, Feathers Displays of Brilliant Plumage, First Down Houston A Year with the Houston Texans and Image America - the first photography book shot solely with a cellphone camera. His work regularly appears in National Geographic Magazine, as well as other magazines. During his twenty-year association with National Geographic, Clark has photographed more than 40 stories. His cover article "Was Darwin Wrong?" helped National Geographic garner a National Magazine award in 2005. Early in his career, Clark documented the lives of high school football players for the book Friday Night Lights. In 2003, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston brought Clark back to Texas to capture the first year of the new NFL team, the Houston Texans. Clark recently directed the short film "8 Seconds" as part of an advertorial campaign for Russell Athletic. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter. He can be followed on Instagram @RobertClarkphoto or his work can be view at RobertClark.com.
Roshni Khatri is a New York City-based documentary photographer focusing on gender, culture, and identity. Originally from New Delhi, India, she brings a global perspective to her storytelling. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, NBC News, and Reuters, and has been exhibited at Photoville. A graduate of the International Center of Photography, supported by the Wall Street Journal Scholarship, Roshni is a member of Women Photograph and Diversify. She is committed to using photography as a tool to surface underrepresented narratives and to challenge traditional frameworks of storytelling.
Photo Credit: Sofia Aldinio
Andrew VanWickler is a New York City–based artist and creative leader with over two decades of experience in visual storytelling across photography, filmmaking, and design. His career spans major creative hubs at Disney, ESPN, and ABC, ultimately leading him to Adobe, where he now serves as a Senior Solutions Consultant.
Andrew’s work is defined by emotionally driven narratives, innovative visual design, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Beyond the newsroom, he has guided Harlowe lighting experiences, workshops, and community events that champion creativity, purpose-driven lighting, and personal expression.
His creative philosophy is rooted in helping others see through light, color, and story what it truly means to embrace your most honest self.
Follow Andrew on Instagram at @avwpictures
Where is it happening?
91 E 3rd St, 91 East 3rd Street, New York, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
