Stacy Pearsall
Photojournalism | Last Updated: August 29, 2022
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Hey, y’all, I’m Stacy Pearsall, a retired U.S. Air Force combat photojournalist. Although I’m “retired” from military service, I’m still working as a photographer, author, educator, motivational speaker, television producer and host, Nikon Ambassador, and Founder of the Veterans Portrait Project.
Just as my career path has been a journey, so too has the gear I’ve used along the way. It’s crazy to think that the first camera I ever picked up was a Nikon N90 camera I used during my high school photography class back in Canton, South Dakota.
I learned basic camera functions, film processing, and print production. Those were the days of darkrooms, timers, and fixer baths.
Shortly after I joined the Air Force in February 1998 and attended the Defense Information School at Fort Meade in Maryland, Nikon introduced their first DSLR – the Nikon D1. It was such a leap forward from using film.
I remember those initial memory cards boasting 2MB of storage and thinking that was pretty whiz-bang! Of course, gear evolved and improved as I bounced from my first duty station in Omaha, Nebraska, to my second in the United Kingdom.
By the time I arrived at Combat Camera in Charleston, South Carolina, in January 2001, Nikon dropped the D1X.
Along with my freshly unboxed cameras, I was provided 128MB memory cards, which blew my mind. Throughout my time in the unit, technology advanced, and gear was upgraded.
I was fortunate to have the latest and greatest in my camera bag while deployed around the world. I lived out of a rucksack for two-thirds of a year, so my gear saw some serious miles, not to mention wear and tear.
When I transitioned out of military service in 2008 and struck out on my own to open a professional studio in historic Charleston, South Carolina, I had to start from scratch.
My camera bag held a Nikon D3 and D3s and two lenses
NIKKOR 28-70mm f/2.8 lens – NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 VR G lens.
Over time, I squirrelled away a percentage of my earnings to acquire more gear and upgrade my old stuff. It took some time, I assure you.
By the time I founded the Veterans Portrait Project in 2013 and hit to road full time, I had;
Two Nikon D800 cameras and three lenses
NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8 – NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8 – NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II
I’m positive I also had an 85mm and some prime lenses as well.
When the Nikon D850 hit the shelves in 2017, I was one of the first to jump at upgrading my gear. The Nikon D850 was and remains a tremendous camera. It traversed all fifty States of the union with me and captured over 8,500 veterans’ portraits.
An archive I treasure and a legacy of these incredible men and women’s service.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, Nikon introduced their mirrorless Z series. I got my hands on a Nikon Z 7 and took it on the road alongside my Nikon D850. I was impressed but not ready to relinquish my DSLRs.
That is until Nikon unveiled the Nikon Z 9. That was a real game changer! From the moment I picked up the Nikon Z 9, I knew there was no going back. I strategized my transition to all mirrorless in 2022 and began finding homes for my beloved FX cameras and lenses.
They are bound to make another photographer’s creative dreams come true, I’m sure of it!
In the meantime, I am acquiring Z series gear and filling my bag with the future of photography.
• Nikon Z9 x2
• Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8
• Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8
• Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
• Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
• Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
• Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x
• Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x
• Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ II
• NIKKOR 105 mm f/1.4
Good gear matters, and having the right tool to achieve the job matters. With that said I believe the most important thing any photographer can bring to a shoot is themselves!
veteransportraitproject.com | @slpearsall
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13 Comments
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Are you interested in WWII pics of fa m ily people?
I’m just learning about this project! This is amazing. My sisters and I are 5th generation veterans. I consider the 3 of us career vets. Lisa and Laura were in at least 10 years and I got a 15-year retirement in 1996 when so many bases were closing.
Our father, his two brothers and their parents are at rest in Ft Gibson (Oklahoma) National Cemetery. Our Cherokee grandfather was born at Ft Gibson, Indian Territory, 1903.
No one pushed us toward military service. I consider it the family business.
The three sisters sat for a formal portrait in 1990. Now we are 63, 62 and 57 years old. I wish we had shadow boxes of our uncles and grandfather’s careers.
I’d LOVE to see your work.
Just WOW
I would love to add my photo in with your other local military members. I enlisted in 1968 when they were not a whole lot of women in the military. But it ended up being the best thing for me. The stories I can tell! I retired as a master sergeant after 20 years five months and 23 days, and live in Chesterfield.
This world need people like you, it would make this hell hole into a heaven with kindness and compassion.
Stacy,
My name is Margil M Guerra III. I am a 2nd generation veteran in my family. My father served in the US Airforce in (Jet engine mechanic) 1968-1971 & I served from 1997-2003. (Enlisted & Warrant Officer). It would be an honor to have you photograph us together. Also, looking through the posted pictures I hadn’t noticed anyone in a wheelchair. That’s my situation at age 51 due to (ie. hard landing ) burning in as a paratrooper training at Ft. Bragg, NC. Much more to that story. Like I said, would be an honor to have our photo together.
Hi! I’m Jason France or HM2 France and was in the Navy from 2004-2010. I’m interested in having my picture taken and would like some information if you still do this or how I would go about getting my picture taken. So if you could please assist, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Jason France.
Stacey
Looking to connect
To help
Vets with their final clothing needs for burial
I have been doing this for a while. I want to know if there is government programs to assist these Vets or veterans families or funeral directors
Many need this service for all branch of service
Robert Geist cel 9173742752 Uncle Sams Army Navy Outlet
I love this series, thank you for sharing!
After meeting you at my Veterans Portrait Shoot, I have become one of your biggest fans, not only for your outstanding photography skills but what you have done to make you the courageous person you are today! I hope to learn how to become a better “amateur” photographer even at the age of 69!
I’ve followed you with great interest since the day you received Charlie on the Today Show. As a retired veteran, I enjoy seeing your Veteran Project series and their stories. While my Nikon kit is not as extensive as yours (😀), I enjoy reading about your stable adventures and your continued support for Combat Camera photographers. Thanks so much for your inspiration and courage throughout your personal journey.
The pictures I have seen that are taken by Stacy Pearsall with Veterans Portrait Project are amazing. The detail that is picked up in every picture makes me feel like I am there.
Stacy,
First of all Thank you for your service.
As a beginner in photography, I have seen some of your work and I think it’s amazing , and only hope that I can learn to take photos like you have taken. I also have a Nikon it’s a older one , D5600 but I do have a lot of fun with it and it has been very good for me.
I do it mostly as a hobby, but it has helped me the last few months after my husband passed.
I want to wish you the best in luck with everything you do in the future and hope you continue doing what you love. Tho I’ve never met you or Charlie, please give Charlie a hug from me . Please continue doing what your doing for the veterans, you are wonderful at it.
I’ve seen you work with your gear and how grateful you were when the spider holster came out. Looking at the pictures you and Andy are taking with the Nikon Mirrorless Z series are phenomenal.