(ATHENS, GA) The National Press Photographers Association has named Sue Morrow, a veteran picture editor, designer and filmmaker, as the next editor of News Photographer magazine, leading the NPPA’s position as the voice for visual journalists.
Morrow is currently assistant director of multimedia at The Sacramento Bee, where she was the photo editor and designer for “A Mother’s Journey,” that won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in feature photography. Morrow previously worked as a photo editor, designer and manager at the San Jose Mercury News, Tampa Bay Times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Boston Globe.
"I’m really excited to welcome Sue to NPPA’s staff. I know News Photographer will be in great hands,” said NPPA President Michael P. King. “Sue is among the most talented visual leaders in our industry, and among the most passionate voices advocating for visual ethics and the great work our members create."
Morrow said she is deeply honored to take on her new role.
“The magazine and NPPA became a part of my life and career as an undergraduate over 30 years ago,” she said. “I hope to build on its legacy with a multitude of diverse voices from the industry while helping to advance an understanding of our constantly changing world which is currently challenging the way we do our jobs.”
NPPA Executive Director Akili-Casundria Ramsess knows Morrow from their days at the San Jose Mercury News and through The Kalish visual editing workshop. She said Morrow is an amazing editor and innovative leader.
“I'm looking forward to working with her again as she brings her special touch and vision to the pages of News Photographer magazine, the nppa.org website and social media," Ramsess said.
NPPA Vice President Carolyn Hall, who was part of the search committee, said she was impressed with Morrow’s vision for NPPA.
“She’s not looking back. She is really looking to the future. That struck a chord with me,” Hall said. “I think the NPPA’s future is bright and she will be a shining part of that.”
Morrow also has experience in academics and filmmaking. As the Knight Fellow at Ohio University in 2010-11, she earned a master’s degree from the School of Visual Communication. During that time, she found what has become a life-long project about Last Chance Corral, a unique horse rescue in Athens, Ohio. Her short film from LCC, "Born to Die, made its debut at the Athens International Film & Video Festival and at Equus Film Festival NYC. Production for a feature-length film about LCC is underway. In 2017-18, Sue was granted a sabbatical from The Sacramento Bee to teach journalism courses as the visiting professional in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.
“News Photographer magazine and the website have the ability to show the best work being done as well as educate those who are just beginning,” Morrow said. “I want this incredible new challenge in my life to help others see what can be done in their lives and I am open to hearing from a broadening audience."
Since 1994, Morrow has been faculty and board member with The Kalish, and served as its director 2011-2013. She has been a judge for POYi, NPPA’s Best of Photojournalism, the Society for News Design, the White House News Photographers Association and the Hearst Journalism Awards Program. She has taught at Ohio University, lectured at The Poynter Institute, the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar and many NPPA-related seminars and contests.
Morrow is replacing Tom Burton who is leaving NPPA for a Knight Fellowship at Ohio University.
