Stanley Leary
Memories shared by alumni Stanley Leary. Some of Stanley's work also appears in the University Archives photograph gallery.
Twenty one years ago I graduated from ECU. So much of my success today can be attributed to many people through the years, but I believe ECU was one of the pivitol times of my life. My plans for college were to major in social work at ECU and then on to a seminary to become a pastor. Little did I know how some of my talents would be discovered while at ECU which enhanced the process and made it an incredibly rewarding career.
While at ECU I discovered photography. I was having fun with a new camera my parents gave me for my birthday in 1981. Spring semester of my freshman year and boy did it change things. I started shooting for the intramural program and the following fall I was shooting for the East Carolinian and the Buccaneer yearbook. Social work helped me learn more about how to interview people and listen with my ears and eyes.
I delayed my seminary and started working for The Hickory Daily Record in Hickory, NC. A year later I was working for the Southern Baptist on The Commission magazine. While it was a religious magazine it was competing with National Geographic in the Pictures of the Year competition hosted by the National Press Photographers Association. It would win honorable mentions and later 2nd place for best use of photographs by a magazine.
Since those years I went on to seminary and then worked for Georgia Tech on staff. During those years I was being published in national publications like Popular Mechanics, Newsweek, Time, Discover and other publications highlighting the successes of Georgia Tech.
ECU was where I was able to cut my teeth on photojournalism and from there I have continued to do very well. In October I will be in Burkina Faso and Ghana for a three week coverage for the Baptist as a freelance photographer.
I am regularly shooting for my agencies Black Star and WireImage.
I would be willing to send you some of my coverage from Africa if you are interested or any other images you might want to use in the alumni publications. Please take a look at my website for more information about me and examples of my work. Stanley Leary
