Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel Photojournalist

Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel shooting Governor Chris Christie in 2012 with digital still and video cameras. (photo by Jose F. Moreno)

Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel is a former staff photojournalist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post and Today’s Spirit. She has won numerous awards for her documentary photojournalism of everyday people and events. She has covered a wide range of daily photo assignments and special projects.

Photojournalist Gekoski-Kimmel shared the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, given for a year long in-depth investigation about violence in the Philadelphia Schools “Assault on Learning”.

Gekoski-Kimmel in the Philadelphia Inquirer newsroom waiting for the Pulitzer results in 2012. (Photo by David Swanson)

She also won first place awards in The National Press Photographers Association, New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists Pictures of the Year, Editor and Publisher, Keystone Press Awards, and Women in Photojournalism. Gekoski-Kimmel also earned the Award of Excellence from the National Association of Black Journalists for her work on a series “A Portrait of Hunger” photographing the children in the city of Philadelphia who go to bed hungry every night. She was awarded a National Headliners Award for her candid and tender photo essay on the Delp brothers from South Jersey, a rare set of identical conjoined twins joined at the head. Her sensitivity, heart and years of experience allowed her to capture the special moments in their lives, the only photographer to ever be granted permission by the family.

Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel in the 1970’s with her trusty film camera. (photo by Leo S. Matkins)

Gekoski-Kimmel began her career after graduating from Temple University with a degree in Communications. She got her first staff photography job working at a small daily paper, the Today’s Spirit in Hatboro, Pa. Then in 1978 she was hired as a staff photojournalist at the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, N.J. Having worked there until 1984 covering the World Series in 1980, a visit from the Pope and other local news worthy events, Gekoski-Kimmel was now ready to move on. She was hired by the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1984 and remained until 2013. Gekoski-Kimmel wanted to stay and shoot locally to document the day-to-day struggles and joys in people's lives.

THE EARLY DAYS

Newsrooms in the 70’s and 80’s listened to police radios 24/7. Spot news was important. Gekoski-Kimmel photographed this car accident in 1976. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

The aftermath of a house fire photographed in 1977 © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

Gekoski-Kimmel photographed Pope John Paul II in 1979 during his visit to Philadelphia. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

A young Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones played Philadelphia in 1981. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

In 1979 young ballerinas take lessons at the Ronnie McLaughlin School of Dance in Merchantville, New Jersey. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

The Philadelphia Phillies win the 1980 World Series against the Kansas City Royals. Relief pitcher Tug McGraw and 3rd baseman Mike Schmidt (behind McGraw) celebrate. Covering the World Series was a definite highlight of Gekoski-Kimmel’s career. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

A frame of Jimmy Connors in 1980 playing Roscoe Tanner in Philadelphia. It ended up a double exposure when the film didn’t advance in the camera. The editors liked it and ran it. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

The Winning Run: A high school baseball game from the 80’s. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

COLOR FILM and DIGITAL CAMERAS

A tiny premature baby fighting for his life. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

On April 10, 2003 Army Staff Sergeant Terry Hemingway was killed in Iraq by a roadside suicide bomber. He was 39. After his body was escorted home by his brother, Sergeant First Class Gary Hemingway, he was laid to rest at Beverly National Cemetery in New Jersey. (L-R) At Hemingway’s funeral his three children Venetia,9, Terry Jr., 11 and Danisha, 7, watch in grief as their mother, Darlene, is comforted by their uncle Gary Hemingway. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

© Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

Food Insecurity: Imani cries with worry as hunger advocate Mariana Chilton makes a home visit to help. There was no food to feed her children before they went off to school. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

Living in poverty with her aging grandmother, Celeata sleeps in a house where walls to the outside are gone. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

Violence in schools has become an epidemic. Here in the Houston public schools, armed guards must handle student issues. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

An officer tells a Houston student she can no longer attend the high school. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

Conjoined twins Tyler and Stefan play violin and have perfect pitch. Unable to be separated at birth, now in their 20’s , they have never seen each other’s faces. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

A ruby-throated hummingbird and a honeysuckle flower. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

Cranberry Harvest in New Jersey. © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

An orphaned baby orangutan at a care center in Borneo © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel photographing orangutans in Borneo © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

Elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand © Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel

All photos copyrighted © 2019 Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel