June 11, 2026: “A Dialogue with the AP Chief Photographer for the Southern US” with Mike Stewart | Monthly Meeting
- May 21
- 4 min read
Our June Monthly Meeting will be on June 11, 2026 at 6:45 pm!
The monthly club meeting is a free event for anyone who shares a passion for photography, from the total beginner with your phone to a professional with multiple gear sets. Please join us in-person or online and invite anyone who may be interested in exploring and learning about photography!
You are welcome to arrive at 6:15 pm for fellowship and social time to meet new and current members.
Join in-person meeting:
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Address: 107 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 | Atlanta Tech Park
Our June Speaker is Mike Stewart and the topic will be “A Dialogue with the AP Chief Photographer for the Southern US”!
This is a special evening! Join the Peachtree Corners Photography Club for an eye-opening presentation by the Pulitzer Prize winning Chief Photographer for the Southern US for the Associated Press.
Mike says he will show us various photos, and talk about his experiences, but he also invites us to have a dialogue with him. He welcomes questions about his gear, his experiences, his techniques, what is likely to get published, what happens to all the great photos that aren’t published, what editors look for, and anything else we care to ask about his long, prize winning career as a photojournalist.
About Mike Stewart:
The Associated Press
Chief Photographer, Southern U.S., October 2023 - present
Coordinates photo editorial coverage for the southern U.S, directing staff and freelance photographers’ assignments.
Acts as USA Drone Lead for all FAA part 107 UAV pilots in the U.S.
Directs Disaster Management for all U.S. staff including safety and logistics preparedness.
Photographs natural disasters, violent protests, sports, and enterprise assignments both in the region and throughout the U.S.
Explores, beta tests, and implements technology solutions to deliver higher quality images while improving speed-to-wire.
Master edits major global assignments and sporting events both on-site and remotely.
Mentors a diverse group of staffers and freelance photojournalists, recruits new talent, and coaches text staff on proper technique for visuals.
Regional Photo Editor-South, November 2009 – October 2023
Directed photo editorial coverage for the southern U.S.; managed a staff of 18 photographers and 40 regular freelance photographers.
Oversaw and aggressively drove coverage plans in conjunction with photo, video, AP Images, text reporting staff, and multimedia personnel throughout the organization. Shaped the content of the photo report through internal and external analysis and comparison.
Ensured actual spending for photo budget was within 1.5% +/- of annual planned budget
Partnered with colleagues throughout the organization to address challenges, develop potential solutions, and implement improved systems and processes to deliver better visuals faster.
Closely involved in planning and overseeing region’s departmental budgets and making hiring recommendations to the Director of Photography.
Collaborated with all-format colleagues to coordinate and organize news, sports, entertainment, business, and feature stories around the region and beyond.
Interacted daily with southern region customer leadership on planning and coverage.
Planned and master edited global assignments.
Integrated logistical complexities, staffing requirements, and customer expectations for news stories.
Promptly responded to breaking news and quickly pivoted accordingly.
Managed the editorial requirements for a global multi-million-dollar B2C
program.
Supervisor, Headquarters Photo Desk, March 2005 – November 2009
Led Associated Press effort to strengthen member relationships, photo contributions, and service agreements while cultivating new members. As lead client liaison, oversaw the entire U.S. member photo report. Partnered with AP Images to add many newspapers to the revenue-sharing plan.
Collaborated with editors and photographers throughout the company to create a salient photo report.
Boosted newspaper revenue streams for AP Images by expanding use of member content contracts that included revenue sharing.
Polaris Images
Photo Editor, May 2002 – March 2005
Edited photographs created by Polaris photographers for use in magazines and
newspapers worldwide. Collaborated with editors, photographers, and customers on news
coverage plans.
The Albuquerque Journal
Photo Editor, October 1999 - May 2002
Managed staff of 16 photographers and three digital photo technicians on news photo coverage for the state’s largest newspaper.
Created and assigned photo assignments for staff to illustrate stories and concepts. Managed the editing of images and served as a technical coach.
Transitioned the newspaper’s photo operation from film to digital media, including a new and user-friendly photo archiving system.
The Columbia Daily Tribune
Photo Editor, February 1994 – October 1999
Managed a staff of six photographers for this daily community newspaper inMissouri.
Scheduled assignments and edited images to present at the daily news meeting.
Was responsible for the newspaper’s quality control.
Helped establish the paper’s pagination system and moved the photo staff to digital technology.
Oversaw annual budget, hiring and equipment purchases.
The Arkansas Democrat and The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Staff Photographer, June 1989 - January 1994
Illustrated news, feature, and sports stories for the state’s largest daily newspaper.
Traveled extensively throughout the country to provide coverage of Bill Clinton’s race to become President of the United States.
AWARDS:
Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News, 2021
Numerous state and national press photo awards, including:
Jerry Frutkoff Preakness Stakes Photo of the Year, 2011
National Press Photographers Association, Oklahoma Press Association, Arkansas Press Association, and the Associated Press
Honored by National Fraternal Order Police Award for Heroism, 1990
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
National Press Photographers Association, member since 1987
Picture Editing Workshop, Stan Kalish, Marquette University, an intensive week-long workshop for photo editors
The Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, board member and judge since 2010
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