Military Photographer of the Year

Moments. Emotions. Beauty. Tragedy. Life.

A Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, Jeremy "JT" Lock has a passion for immersing himself into and capturing the essence of the world's people, tragedies, celebrations, and everyday realities--empowering viewers to live and feel those moments through his photographs.

JT has experience, training, and insight that few photojournalists can claim. He's been in the thick of war battles, shooting with his camera rather than a gun; earning a Bronze Star. He's documented the realities of life in disease- and poverty-stricken Africa. He's covered diplomatic celebrations, funerals and historic meetings. He is specially trained to shoot from the air and under the sea. He is the sole military photographer to be recognized four times as the best in the business (Military Photographer of the Year, 2003, '05, '06, '08).

"I thrive on working stories, diving into each experience, and living for a moment in a world outside of my norm,” JT said. “It is an honor to be able to share my vision and hopefully foster awareness, understanding, and empathy."

Nearly 18 years ago, JT was assigned to what has become his life's work. An Airman in the United States Air Force, he was tasked with darkroom tech duties. He worked his way up to photographer and now, still active in the military, serves as a photographer assigned to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base. As such, he captures his unique perspective of military life, war, and foreign cultures, and people in storytelling shots. Each photograph not only transports the viewer into that moment and offers a breath of that experience, but also records history for the United States' military and government.

He also ably translates his broad military experience into expert photography for numerous major media publications worldwide including, National Geographic, Time Magazine, The New York Times and The LA Times. In 2002, he worked in collaboration with 125 of the world’s leading photojournalists on a book entitled A Day In The Life Of The United States Armed Forces. His work also appears in many books including, NYC Life Going On and The War in Iraq. One of his latest projects was working as a New York Life photographer on a documentary for PBS title Slavery and the Making of America.

JT was introduced to photography at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. He graduated from Airman Leadership October 1996, Ground and Water Survival September 1998, Syracuse University Military Photojournalism Program May 2000,

Throughout his career as a photojournalist and service in the Air Force, Jeremy Lock's proficiency in his field has been recognized in many ways, including:
2009 Runner-up Military Photographer of the Year
2009 Charleston SC, 40 Most Influential People Under 40
2008 Military Photographer of the Year
2008 2nd Place World Press Photo Competition of the Year, Nature Category
2008 Honorable Mention NPPA Photo Competition of the Year, Nature Category
2007 Runner-up Military Photographer of the Year
2007 Air Force Photographer of the Year
2006 Military Photographer of the Year
2006 Runner-up SC Newspaper Photographer of the year
2005 Military Photographer of the Year
2002 Military Photographer of the Year
2001 Runner-up Military Photographer of the Year
2000 Honor Graduate Syracuse Military Photojournalist Program

Bronze Star Medal
Air Force Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Joint Service Achievement Medal, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Army Combat Action Badge

Sgt. Sales is a United States Marine Corps Combat Camera Production Specialist who also holds the additional MOS of Combat Illustrator; he is in his 6th year creating in the military. “It is an honor to serve my country as a Marine and as an Artist. As a child the two things that brought me the most enjoyment were Art and playing “soldier” with neighboring children. We would use sticks as rifles and run around nearby woods and pretend we were in search of “THE ENEMY”. Although that was many years ago I have not lost that passion for the military or Art. To have found an occupation that brought both of those interests together is nothing short of amazing. I sometimes feel that this job was made with me in mind.”

Sgt Sales will soon be departing USCENTCOM with fiancée Lauren and dog Arlee for the Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, MD. Where he plans to teach, mentor and learn with other military artist.

EDUCATION

Sergeant Sales graduated from Basic Multimedia Illustrators Course in 2005; Digital Multimedia Course in 2006; Corporals Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. in 2007; Combat Marksmanship Coach Course in 2007.

ASSIGNMENTS

Sgt Sales enlisted in the Marine Corps on 24 October 2004. Upon completion of recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, he attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC and the Basic Multimedia Illustrator Course at Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, MD. Upon completion of school, Private First Class Sales reported to Headquarters Battalion Combat Camera, Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California where he, served as a Combat illustrator. In March of 2008, Corporal Sales was ordered to the Command Graphics Branch, United States Central Command, MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL. He was assigned as a Combat Illustrator and during this tour he deployed several times to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom .

AWARDS

Sergeant Sales decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal w/1 bronze star , the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award

 Military Videographer of the Year

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Breese has been shooting for 10 years. 2011 was his best yet: Breese's search for Navy stories took him to the four corners of the map. He followed Navy SEALs biking through the South and he brought viewers into the East Coast home of the Navy survival school. Breese traveled to the North Pole capturing a treasure-trove of imagery and spent time in the Arizona desert shooting time-lapse photography.

Breese started his career serving alongside the Seabees as an undesignated Seaman striking Photographer's Mate at Amphibious Construction Battalion One in 2004. In 2006, he transferred to USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and was put in charge of video productions; creating commercials, deployment videos and all hands safety videos. Departing Stennis in 2009 he entered the yearlong Military Motion Media program at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communication. After graduating in 2010, Breese reported to Defense Media Activity (DMA), where he is a multimedia specialist for the DMA-Navy Production department. His experiences, training, and commitment to quality have shaped Petty Officer Breese into a talented and driven professional with articulate views about his craft.

"When I first picked up a camera, I didn't understand why I was so passionate about it. Then I realized it was more than a camera; it was a way to communicate. My goal is to do more than visually entertain an audience. I really try to give a voice to the voiceless, and, if I'm lucky, document history.”

Education: Petty Officer Breese graduated from Defense Information School's Basic Still Photography June 2006; Video Production Documentation August 2008; Syracuse University Military Motion Media Program May 2010.

Assignments
June 2004 – April 2006, Undesignated Seaman, Amphibious Construction Battalion One, Coronado, CA.
June 2006 – July 2009, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Bremerton, WA.
July 2009 – May 2010, Military Motion Media Program, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.
May 2010- Present, Defense Media Activity, Ft. Meade, MD.