Andrea Bruce

Andrea Bruce has been a photojournalist with the Washington Post since 2001. She has received the prestigious "Photographer of the Year" award from the White House News Photographers' Association for five consecutive years. Andrea has traveled all over the Middle East, mostly in Iraq (where she lived for one year), Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Lebanon doing was she does best, taking pictures. She has also traveled in India and China.


Expat Women's Interview with Andrea

Expat Women: Andrea, where did you start your photo journalist career?

Andrea:   I went to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to become a reporter. During my last year I took a photo class – for fun – and fell in love with photojournalism. I followed graduation with four consecutive internships to build my portfolio and landed a job at the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire. From there I continued to The St. Petersburg Times and then to The Washington Post.


Expat Women: Where have you traveled to for your work?

Andrea:  I have traveled to Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China and parts of Latin America and Europe for The Post.


Expat Women: Where have you lived overseas?

Andrea: Most of my overseas living has been in Iraq. I lived in Iraq on and off from April 2003 to fall of 2005 during 3 months stints over those two years. Over a year all together. For the most part I have to stay mobile.


Expat Women: What is the most exciting location you have visited / lived in?

Andrea: I guess I'd have to say that Iraq has been the most exciting place I've lived--or at least the place that has left the most impact on me. And the most heartbreaking.


Expat Women: While living in Iraq, you chose to head out on your own and enter the world of the domestic life of the women and children. Tell us about your experiences while living there?

Andrea: Working in Iraq has changed dramatically since the US's initial invasion. In the beginning I could head out alone with my driver and travel wherever a story took us – even without a head scarf. Now our paper has a fifteen minute rule on covering events in Iraq (when not with the military). We travel in local-looking armed cars with armed guards following us and can stop in one place for only 15 minutes. I have to stay fully covered in a Habiya. But still, as a woman I am allowed to go where most male journalists are not – into the lives of Iraqi women. That is where I have been able to do some of my most meaningful work – often giving a voice to those who normally don't have one.

Andrea Bruce/ The Washington Post

Expat Women: While working as a photo journalist, have you ever been afraid for your life?

Andrea:  Yes and no. I think back on situations and can't believe I got through them. But at the time I'm so busy and focused on the mechanics of my job and the people I'm taking photos of that, in a way, I forget about myself.


Expat Women: How has your Expat Experience helped you get to where you are today?

Andrea: I love my job – whether I'm home in the US or abroad. But the main reason I do this is to spread empathy among our readers in the US. I want people here to have an interest and a connection to people from very different cultures, religions and geographies. Traveling abroad as a photojournalist allows me to do this.


Expat Women: Do you think that a photo can inspire someone to action?

Andrea: Without a doubt. I think photos are our central source of empathy. A fraction of a second in someone's life – frozen in time – can make us see the source of someone's pain clearly.


Expat Women: What tips would you give women who have photographic talents and may wish to get into photojournalism?

Andrea:  I'd tell them that nothing is impossible. That is the first thing I learned in journalism. There is always a way to get something done. Photography is a tough field to break into – but if you are committed you can get there. Talk to lots of other photographers – volunteer, assist or intern. Get lots of feedback. And be prepared for it to take over your life.


Expat Women: Would you go overseas as an Expat again?

Andrea: Yes. I love it. But it has also made me appreciate the conveniences of the States.


Expat Women: If you could choose anywhere, where would you choose to live as an Expat next time and why?

Andrea: I love the Middle East. And Lebanon has to be one of the most beautiful countries I've ever seen. So maybe Beirut. But I'd also love to try someplace in Africa.


Expat Women: Expat Women: Thank you Andrea for sharing your experiences with us, and happy clicking!

Andrea: Thank you! To see more of my photos, visit my website at http://www.andreabruce.com


May 2007