Some civilians may be surprised to learn that the most poignant moments of military life are not only captured by the lens of an Associated Press or National Geographic photographer—but by the soldiers themselves.

Through their work at the Defense Media Activity organization, awarding-winning photographer Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock and videographer/multimedia producer Andrew Breese document the stories of military life, war and world cultures for the general public as well as the military’s historical record.

On Tuesday, Oct. 30, Lock and Breese will bring the emotion, beauty, triumph and tragedy of the U.S. military into sharp focus in their presentation, “Combat and Conflict: Through the Lens of the Military,” which begins at 7 p.m. in G09 White Hall on West Virginia University downtown campus.

Lock, photographer for “Airman” – the Air Force’s official publication – is the only six-time Military Photographer of the Year for the U.S. Armed Forces and was recently featured on CBS Evening News. He joined the U.S. Air Force nearly 20 years ago and is now assigned to the DMA at Fort Meade, Md. Breese, a former Navy videographer and now multimedia director for “Airman” magazine, was named the 2011 Military Videographer of the year.

DMA is the U.S. Department of Defense’s direct line of communication for news and information to U.S. forces worldwide. The agency presents news, information and entertainment on a variety of media platforms, including radio, television, internet, print media and emerging media technologies. DMA provides information to millions of active, guard and reserve service members, civilian employees, contractors, military retirees and their families in the U.S. and abroad.

The public presentation is part of the WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism’s new “Future of Media – NOW” series, which explores current and emerging forms of media being practiced by journalists, professional communicators and non-traditional storytellers.

“As the School’s programs evolve with the changing media industry, we want our students to be versed in the variety of opportunities available to them as storytellers and communicators,” said School of Journalism Dean Maryanne Reed. “This particular event will expose them to the high-quality work being produced by the military and show them how the government and other organizations are utilizing journalistic techniques and technologies to tell their own stories, no longer just relying on the media to do it for them.”

Also speaking at the event will be Defense Information School Commandant Col. Jeremy Martin, following Reed’s welcome.

The Defense Information School, a component of DMA, is the Department of Defense’s premier center for public affairs and visual information training. Members from all branches of the U.S. military, Department of Defense civilians and international military personnel attend the school for training in such areas as public affairs, print journalism, photojournalism, photography, television and radio broadcasting, lithography, equipment maintenance and various forms of multimedia.

-WVU-

cv 10/23/12

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CONTACT: Kimberly Walker, School of Journalism
304-293-5726