The Insider: At the frontline of the news
- Jan Johannessen
- 42 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Swedish photojournalist Pontus Hook grew up in the small, sleepy Swedish town of Tranemo. His professional life has been anything but sleepy. For 28 years, he has crisscrossed the USA, hunting for news photos for the front page.
Working as a photojournalist based in New York City, he is used to packing his bags and travelling on short notice. Whether presidential elections, breaking news and tragedy, or Hollywood celebrities celebrating the Oscars, Pontus has seen it all.
Photojournalists often find themselves on the frontline of breaking news. What decides where you travel for work, and is there ever a personal story you fight to tell alongside the headlines?
–It is a mix of chasing headlines and following instincts. Since I mainly freelance for daily papers, I will find myself at the frontline of breaking news, which is when I follow my instinct, Pontus explains. He is often in good company with major news corporations and international photo agencies, covering the same stories.
–Finding a unique angle in the bigger story is essential to get pictures other than the wire photos flooding the servers of the paper. It isn't easy and doesn't always work, but at least you need to have that mindset, Pontus continues.
–Almost exclusively, I am called in for assignments, and rarely do I go to pursue personal projects. However, sometimes, I team up with freelance journalists to develop stories we can work on together.
The world of news can be unpredictable. Describe your approach to trip planning – are you a meticulous planner, or must you adapt quickly to changing circumstances?
–These days, I know by heart the different kinds of equipment I need for various assignments. For news stories, it is crucial to pack the equipment as quickly as possible to catch the earliest flight. However, if it is not a breaking news assignment, I have noticed that the older I get, the more I like to plan further in advance, the experienced newsphotographer tells.
Does photojournalism work best solo, or do you collaborate with journalists or fixers, and what qualities do you seek in a travel companion for dangerous or sensitive situations?
–In general terms, I am not a lone wolf, but I have no problem working that way, Pontus says.
Sometimes, the Swedish photographer ends up in situations where precaution is needed.
–Working with an equally experienced reporter, there is a silent agreement that we will always have each other's backs. That feeling goes a long way, he states.
Photo ocurtesy Pontus Höök
What essential items, besides camera equipment, do you always pack for your assignments?
–I always bring protein bars because you never know when you will be able to eat again. When you travel, you might work late, and a protein bar can end up being dinner that night. It's not ideal, but at least you will not go hungry.
Photojournalism is about capturing authentic narratives. Share your tips for building trust with subjects in challenging environments and for ensuring your photos accurately represent the situation.
–It is essential to treat everyone equally and wth honesty. That is a good start in building trust and getting them to let me be that fly on the wall. Conveying the truth is the backbone of photojournalism. With AI slowly taking over photography, it is more important than ever, he states.
What are your most impactful photos, and tell us the story behind them.
On September 11th, 2001, the first tower had already fallen when I arrived at the scene. I started shooting pictures of the remaining North Tower when it suddenly started crumbling. The weird thing was that I didn't hear the skyscraper crashing before me; there was no noise. The only thing I heard was people shouting behind me. It was so surreal. I never
thought New York would be back to normal after that. Not a chance, I thought.
The Insider: Pontus Höök
Pontus Höök grew up in the small town of Tranemo, Sweden. After graduating from high school in 1989, he started at the Swedish local paper Borås Tidning. After almost four years, he moved on and worked at all the major Swedish daily papers in Gothenburg and Stockholm. In 1997, he moved to New York with the hope of staying there for a year. It turned out to be much longer than that.
The Insider is daGama Traveller Magazine's column featuring interviews with travel experts and destination specialists. Know someone who'd love to share their best tips for travelling in general or for a particular destination? Get in touch at editorial@dagama.travel
