Photographer of the Week Write Up: Javier Manzano

Javier Manzano is a prominent conflict journalist born in Mexico and based in the United States. He is known for his documentation of conflict in the Middle East as a freelancer for the Associated Press, Agence Presse-France and other assorted media conglomerates. He was born in 1975 and lived in Mexico until 1993 when his family immigrated to the United States. He worked for Rocky Mountain News in Colorado until 2009, and that's when his career really took off.
Manzano's has one a litany of awards in his career, not all for his photography. For still photos, he won a Pulitzer Prize and two World Press Photo Awards. For his motion-picture documentary work, he won an Emmy award and has been nominated for two British Academy of Film Awards(BAFTA).

This photo was Manzano's claim to fame. He described the scenario in an interview Manzano did with Jessica Lum, "An old Ford Cougar was haphazardly parked on the right side of the highway. When we approached the vehicle we noticed that both of the rear side windows had been shot in. Inside the car, a little girl who was holding the hand of her fatally wounded mother. The girl’s brother, blemished by the blood of his parents stood outside the vehicle, looking on towards the highway." This photo was taken nearby, and it the decapitated head of the child's father.

Manzano is another conflict journalist who's drive and courage allows them to rise to the top of their field. He is admirable for both his professional qualities and personal motives, and has contributed work that changes the world and sheds light on important issues.