Joe McNally Photography

The website and blog of Joe McNally

Subscribe to Blog

Sign-up to receive Joe's Posts by email


Newsletter

Sign-up to receive email updates

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Ten Years On…..

52 Comments

Bill Butler was with Josephine Harris and five other members of Ladder 6, inside the North Tower of WTC when it came down. They resolutely stuck with Josephine, refusing to leave her, despite her painfully slow rate of descent. Bill half carried her, cajoling her all the way about seeing her grandchildren again. The building came down, and the miracle of Josephine’s pace put all of them in a fourth floor stairwell that remained intact. Somehow, as the building came down, crushing everything around it, they, and Josephine, survived.

Bill Butler, 2001, Firefighter, Ladder 6, FDNY

While trapped with Harris and his ladder company in Stairwell B, Butler used a cell phone to call emergency numbers but couldn’t get through. As a last effort, he called his home in Orange County, N.Y. His wife, Diane, answered.

“I just said, “Hi, what are you doing?” I was trying to be nonchalant. She said, “Where are you?” I said “We’re at the World Trade Center.” She asked, “Is everything okay?” Then I said, “Well, we have a little problem. We’re trapped in the Trade Center, but we’re okay.” Then she started to cry a little bit, because she knew there was no World Trade Center. At that point I said, “Listen, you can’t cry. I have to give you some information. You have to call the firehouse or call someone and tell them where we’re at.”

Lieutenant Bill Butler, FDNY, Aug. 3, 2011

Ten years later, Bill is a lieutentant with FDNY, serving at Ladder 56, Engine 48, up in the Bronx. His memories of the day are still vivid, even with the passing of time. Shot this, along with a video interview with Bill, just last week. The interview, and the portraits open at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, on Aug. 24th.

Exhibition made possible with the generous sponsorship of Nikon USA, Johnson & Johnson, JP Morgan, and friends of the collection.

More tk….

Comments

  6. Nancy McPeak says

    While our eceomy crumbles and our leaders squabble, this reminder of our strength and our ability to unify when needed is a breath of fresh air. I hope to get to New York to see this exhibit. Thank you so much for using your talent in this way and reminding us not to forget. God bless all of our 9/11 heroes and their families.

  7. David says

    Please, Joe, make some (or all) of the stuff you are going to show available online after the exhibition! I’ve been witnessing 9/11 and the great things you’re doing for and about these men from the distance.
    I’ll be in NYC next week (first time)—it’s a shame that I will be leaving just days before you start the exhibition.

    All the best. Keep up the good work (and blog)!
    David.

  8. René Bruun says

    Hey Joe, this is incredible. My first trip to NYC was in August 2001. I remember being on the roof of the WTC and saying to a friend, wow, I can’t believe how low the planes fly, I am surprised none of them have crashed into the building…. Little did I know of the events that were going to unfold weeks later. Even though I am from Dublin, I wear my FDNY 343 badge with pride and will never forget…

  9. Dennis Pike says

    I find myself at a loss for words. But I can definitively say this. I am 100% going to see these in person, and I will make sure to bring tissues.

  10. hd says

    Touching story, heart wrenching personal history and a wonderfully warm, human portrait.

    Would I be rude to ask for a numnuts-esque lighting sketch or description. Wondering how you created this broad, warm light with the extra pop on Bill’s face.

    (Bill: thank you for being there) (you too, joe!)

  11. Libby says

    God bless all from 9/11 – the living and the dead. God bless those who stood up in front of the giant Polaroid 10 years ago and again more recently. And God bless you, Joe, for the sensitivity you have shown and show now in capturing the spirit of these people.

  12. Mike Sweeney says

    Amazing story Joe – you were given a gift of a lifetime to take the photographs of these folks and to share it with the rest of us. Thank you.

  15. David says

    As usual, your 9/11 stories are emotional.
    Bill looks great regardless of the ‘graying’.
    Thx again for sharing.

  16. John says

    Inspirational work. I’m continually amazed by your ability to touch my mind and my soul with your work.

  19. Debra says

    Thank you, as always Joe. We won’t ever forget the magnatuide of the events on 9/11/2001. The human stories like Bill Butlers, are what we have to keep in our hearts. Your images are a beautiful reminder, of how our citizens were testecd, and responded with dignity and courage.

  21. John Fowler says

    What a wonderful story Joe, thank you very, very much. This is a wonderful thing you’re doing. Please tell Lt. Butler how proud we all are of him and his colleagues.

    I so much wish I could be there for the opening, but I’m a long way from NYC.

  23. Sang says

    Amazing story. Thanks for sharing Joe. Love the photo, he’s amazing and it shows in the photograph.

  25. Shaunna Sparks says

    Wow! So what an inspiring story! We need to always remember these heroes! Truly amazing!

  28. Paul says

    Such an amazing story. Such brave people. Kudos to you, Joe, for continuing to tell their stories, and tell them so well in your work.

  29. Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. says

    These stories are SO powerful… I’m a photographer… I’m involved with sports more than anything… being “out on the street” we hear stories that make you stop and REALLY think about how lucky the majority of the people on the face of the earth are that we’re health and have relatively trouble free lives… then you run into stories that Joe has or a 7 year old girl with a blood disorder… she’s a fighter… her bone marrow donor is her Little League All Star brother… I met them during the tournament… as soon as the tournament was over they were headed to the SF Bay Area to “fix” his little sister… such powerful stories and I’m just here snapping photos… life is amazing, being a photographer can be amazing…

  30. kathyjan says

    Every time you post a story about 911 I tear up. This one was no exception. Such a reminder of the power of human love and interaction – of aligning with the pace of our elders – of letting the magnitude of the universe’s wisdom take care of us. What a gift you have been given to be a part of telling these stories. Thank You.

  31. Ivan says

    I worked in 7 world trade. This brought back some painful memories, but reminded me of the heroes from that day.

  33. Susan Peden says

    Years ago, I saw the 9-11 images in a book. They were somehow the best portraits I had ever seen. I did not know who you were or what you did. They helped with the pain of that time. Thank you.

    Susan Peden

  35. Gus Samarco says

    Congratulations Joe. I know you worked hard to have those images preserved.
    Hopefully I’ll get to see it.

  37. Ben says

    Will be in new York on the 24 and would love to see this! Can anyone advise on what te entrance fee would be? Apologies if this is a stupid question but its my first time in NYC .. Thanks

  41. Glyn Dewis says

    Joe,
    These images and true accounts are priceless! Every time I read or see something on TV about 9/11 I find myself glued to the spot unable to move away…I just have to take it in.

    Thanks for sharing,
    All the very best to you,
    Glyn

  45. Robert K. says

    A picture shot in low light, underexposed and NO use of any flash. Seriously Proffessor MacNally, this is just a teaser.
    I bet you will show a picture , well exposed and shot at 12800 ISO with the new D4.
    After the 24. of course 😉

  46. Rebecca Thron says

    Hi Joe, I think this is amazing, I heard you describe this project in Philly this past spring and we’ve had this on our calendars to attend. Is this only on the 24th? Or will it be running through the weekend?

  48. JP says

    I really really really want to go to that exhibition. I wanted to 10 years ago. Being a student sucks.

    I’d pay admission to see the video interviews online!

Trackbacks

  1. […] a series of portraits of firefighters and others affected by the World Trade Center attack. Now, he’s going back to those people and photographing them again, letting them tell a bit of their story. ‹ Previous Post Tyler Hicks on the New York […]

  4. […] Nowhere was this more true for him than the survivors of 9/11 who he met and photographed in the aftermath of the tragedy. Being the good shepherd of their images, as he put it, earned the trust of his subjects and created the opportunity to return to their lives ten years later and update their stories. […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News from Joe

Climbing the World’s Tallest Building!

Time flies. Roughly ten years ago, I climbed the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in […]

Game Over at Sports Illustrated

Legend has it that Heinz Kluetmeier donned scuba gear and dove into the Olympic pool […]

An Irish Workshop Adventure in May!

Ireland is one of the most welcoming places on earth, not just for a greeting, […]

View all News

Upcoming Events

Ellis Island 1-Day Workshop (3 Spots Left!)
Greece – Oct 5-12 & Oct 13-20, 2024
Day of the Dead -San Miguel De Allende
The Amazon Safari – 2025
Dance in Cuba – 2025
Vietnam – 2025
Storytelling in Sicily May 2025
Tuscany October 2025
View all Events

Follow Joe on Instagram

joe mcnally

joemcnallyphoto

1,335

Professional Photographer. Director. Author. Nikon USA Ambassador.

joemcnallyphoto

View

Sep 7

Open
The ever striking muse @nwilmshurstx locks onto the camera. Classic beauty combo of an overhead light with a low fill. No background light, as she is only about eight feet in front of one of the @manfrottoimaginemore collapsible backdrops, which are super handy when using someone’s living room as a location - which is the case here! Over-under light, and add a lovely subject! Natalie is currently a highlighted performer at the @royalpalacekirrwiller in Kirrwiller, France. Looks like a spectacular show! #saturdaymorning #picoftheday #portraitphotography #nikonambassador #nikonpro #nikond850

The ever striking muse @nwilmshurstx locks onto the camera. Classic beauty combo of an overhead light with a low fill. No background light, as she is only about eight feet in front of one of the @manfrottoimaginemore collapsible backdrops, which are super handy when using someone’s living room as a location - which is the case here! Over-under light, and add a lovely subject! Natalie is currently a highlighted performer at the @royalpalacekirrwiller in Kirrwiller, France. Looks like a spectacular show!

#saturdaymorning #picoftheday #portraitphotography #nikonambassador #nikonpro #nikond850 ...

883 17

joemcnallyphoto

View

Sep 5

Open
One small light through a window! A Speedlight, as a matter fact. Remember those? Handy, versatile, and highly evolved. The one flash is gelled CTO and placed out in the parking lot. I actually triggered it line of sight, so this pic is definitely from the old school of technology. Wonderful model, carefully placed so the striped highlights through the blinds hit across her eyes. Rest of the photo is just available pool hall light, with some assistance from a smoke machine. Shot with the Nikon D3X, which was a heckuva good camera, and aperture priority with underexposure dialed into the camera. The flash has no diffusion and is zoomed tight to retain the edge and hardness of the light. So much fun to play with light at a location like this! #throwbackthursday #thursdayvibes #thursdaythoughts #portraitphotography #picoftheday #nikonambassador #nikonpro #nikond3x

One small light through a window! A Speedlight, as a matter fact. Remember those? Handy, versatile, and highly evolved. The one flash is gelled CTO and placed out in the parking lot. I actually triggered it line of sight, so this pic is definitely from the old school of technology. Wonderful model, carefully placed so the striped highlights through the blinds hit across her eyes. Rest of the photo is just available pool hall light, with some assistance from a smoke machine. Shot with the Nikon D3X, which was a heckuva good camera, and aperture priority with underexposure dialed into the camera. The flash has no diffusion and is zoomed tight to retain the edge and hardness of the light. So much fun to play with light at a location like this!

#throwbackthursday #thursdayvibes #thursdaythoughts #portraitphotography #picoftheday #nikonambassador #nikonpro #nikond3x ...

2400 57

joemcnallyphoto

View

Sep 2

Open
The Labor Day Weekend symbolizes the end of the summer, and our yearly, necessary, honorable celebration of work. On this Labor Day, I remember going underground with some of the hardest working folks I’ve ever been privileged to point a lens at—the legendary NY Sandhogs. I’ve always been compelled to photograph labor. Work. Always been curious about how things are built, or the intricacies of major industry. Hence my propensity over time to climb things, or go under the ground with my cameras. The camera stands in service to hard work and knowledge, and I’ve loved the times I’ve been allowed behind the scenes—in a mine, in an operating theater, in tunnels, or massive manufacturing plants. Sweat and striving. The drama of heavy industry. The camera honors and defines the nobility of work be it backbreaking labor accompanied by the din of heavy machinery, or delicate, intuitive, tension-laden moves of a scalpel inside the chest of a patient. Work compels us, support us, frustrates us, rewards us, defines us. For many, the job becomes almost inseparable from the person. So it is with the Sandhogs you see here. They build astonishing structures far below the earth’s surface which flow water into New York. Without their work, the city couldn’t exist. It was a story I responded to, and remember on this day. #Laborday #photojournalism #NYC #storytelling

The Labor Day Weekend symbolizes the end of the summer, and our yearly, necessary, honorable celebration of work. On this Labor Day, I remember going underground with some of the hardest working folks I’ve ever been privileged to point a lens at—the legendary NY Sandhogs. I’ve always been compelled to photograph labor. Work. Always been curious about how things are built, or the intricacies of major industry. Hence my propensity over time to climb things, or go under the ground with my cameras. The camera stands in service to hard work and knowledge, and I’ve loved the times I’ve been allowed behind the scenes—in a mine, in an operating theater, in tunnels, or massive manufacturing plants. Sweat and striving. The drama of heavy industry.

The camera honors and defines the nobility of work be it backbreaking labor accompanied by the din of heavy machinery, or delicate, intuitive, tension-laden moves of a scalpel inside the chest of a patient. Work compels us, support us, frustrates us, rewards us, defines us. For many, the job becomes almost inseparable from the person.

So it is with the Sandhogs you see here. They build astonishing structures far below the earth’s surface which flow water into New York. Without their work, the city couldn’t exist. It was a story I responded to, and remember on this day.

#Laborday #photojournalism #NYC #storytelling ...

596 12

joemcnallyphoto

View

Aug 31

Open
Wide open sharpness intensifies the eyes. Once again, an over/under style of light not only suits the lovely face of Cassie, a beautiful Hawaiian dancer I have worked with, it illuminates the eyes. The under component is essential, given the floral decorations in her hair. That is provided by the Westcott Eyelighter 3, with a Profoto overhead umbrella with a diffuser. All overhead light would produce shadowing. But this lighting twosome and her resolute beauty looking at the camera demands the attention of the viewer. It’s like that old game we played as kids, “Made you look!” This style of light does make you look. Nikkor 85mm lens wide open at f/1.8. Compact lens, handy to carry and crazy sharp. #saturdaymorning #hawaii #portraitphotography #picoftheday #beauty #nikonpro #nikonambassador #nikonz7 @nikonusa

Wide open sharpness intensifies the eyes. Once again, an over/under style of light not only suits the lovely face of Cassie, a beautiful Hawaiian dancer I have worked with, it illuminates the eyes. The under component is essential, given the floral decorations in her hair. That is provided by the Westcott Eyelighter 3, with a Profoto overhead umbrella with a diffuser. All overhead light would produce shadowing. But this lighting twosome and her resolute beauty looking at the camera demands the attention of the viewer. It’s like that old game we played as kids, “Made you look!” This style of light does make you look. Nikkor 85mm lens wide open at
f/1.8. Compact lens, handy to carry and crazy sharp.

#saturdaymorning #hawaii #portraitphotography #picoftheday #beauty #nikonpro #nikonambassador #nikonz7 @nikonusa ...

3118 58

joemcnallyphoto

View

Aug 28

Open
The startling beautiful Monteece locks eyes with the camera. A veteran Vegas performer, she has an amazing array of skills, from gymnastics to dance, to acting. I’ve always found inspiration amongst the group of performers and friends I’ve worked with over the years in Vegas. The physical grace and strength demanded of them to be in these shows nightly is extraordinary, as is the discipline. Shot with over/under lighting and the square format on the Nikon Z 7. One of the primary benefits (for me) of all the accelerated mirrorless technology is the ease of use of square format. Don’t forget to experiment with different formats! I find the square connects to a historical continuum of portrait tradition, and has a formalism to it. (Also, you don’t have to turn the camera for a vertical😉) And our talent’s gesture inhabits this particular square wonderfully. Production excellence from the one and only Lynn DelMastro and gorgeous styling by Sam Brown. #wednesdaywisdom #picoftheday #portraitphotography #nikonambassador #nikonpro #nikonz7 @monteecetaylor - talent @northorchard - production @samanthabrownstyle - styling @nikonusa

The startling beautiful Monteece locks eyes with the camera. A veteran Vegas performer, she has an amazing array of skills, from gymnastics to dance, to acting. I’ve always found inspiration amongst the group of performers and friends I’ve worked with over the years in Vegas. The physical grace and strength demanded of them to be in these shows nightly is extraordinary, as is the discipline. Shot with over/under lighting and the square format on the Nikon Z 7. One of the primary benefits (for me) of all the accelerated mirrorless technology is the ease of use of square format. Don’t forget to experiment with different formats! I find the square connects to a historical continuum of portrait tradition, and has a formalism to it. (Also, you don’t have to turn the camera for a vertical😉) And our talent’s gesture inhabits this particular square wonderfully. Production excellence from the one and only Lynn DelMastro and gorgeous styling by Sam Brown.
#wednesdaywisdom #picoftheday #portraitphotography #nikonambassador #nikonpro #nikonz7

@monteecetaylor - talent
@northorchard - production
@samanthabrownstyle - styling
@nikonusa ...

1165 18

joemcnallyphoto

View

Aug 24

Open
Hard light, amazing eyes. And transformative HMU by @clairepiao. The wondrous @dlimathais graces the lens with a look that holds attention. Available hard light, working outside on a deck in Los Angeles, with my dear friend @bertonevisuals - who has a marvelous studio area. Camera rig is the Nikon Z 7, partnered with the astonishing optic, the NIKKOR Z 58mm F/0.95 S, wide open at .95. Fastest lens I’ve ever used. Sharpness is unreal, and DOF falls off a cliff. Perfect for a hard light look! #saturdaymorning #picoftheday fashionphotography #nikonambassador #nikonpro @nikonusa #nikonz7

Hard light, amazing eyes. And transformative HMU by @clairepiao. The wondrous @dlimathais graces the lens with a look that holds attention. Available hard light, working outside on a deck in Los Angeles, with my dear friend @bertonevisuals - who has a marvelous studio area.

Camera rig is the Nikon Z 7, partnered with the astonishing optic, the NIKKOR Z 58mm F/0.95 S, wide open at .95. Fastest lens I’ve ever used. Sharpness is unreal, and DOF falls off a cliff. Perfect for a hard light look!

#saturdaymorning #picoftheday fashionphotography #nikonambassador #nikonpro @nikonusa #nikonz7 ...

1776 27

joemcnallyphoto

View

Aug 19

Open
World Photography Day is described as a day for “photographers to share their world with the world.” In short, to witness, which is what we do. The beautiful necessity of being a photographer is that you have to go. You have to go and see. Many writers and reporters, nowadays especially, do a lot of their work on the phone, or the internet. But photographers have to go there, camera in hand, and see for ourselves. And then once observed and recorded, share it with the world. A slice of time, as innocuously lovely as a sunset, or a family gathering, as momentous as an earthquake or an Olympics, or as deadly and forbidding as a war zone. It can be a fanciful bit of our imagination, or as steely and shrill as a political protest. We witness. The compulsion to document the world around us is as compelling and necessary to photographers as breathing. I did a lot of work for LIFE, and the motto of the magazine rings true to this day, even though the publication is no longer. “To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, to draw closer, to find each other, and to feel, that is the purpose of life.” The sound of the shutter is still thrilling to me. Still a sense of wonder at the camera. Seventy countries and counting. Sharing this roll call of pictures, in association with the @monroegallery, with whom I have a strong relationship nearly twenty years long. They are astounding folks, shepherding historically important imagery to be shared, to be seen, and thus to move those who do see it. They understand clearly the overarching value of important photography. Pictures are our history, our memory, our sense of ourselves. #worldphotographyday @monroegallery #photography

World Photography Day is described as a day for “photographers to share their world with the world.” In short, to witness, which is what we do. The beautiful necessity of being a photographer is that you have to go. You have to go and see. Many writers and reporters, nowadays especially, do a lot of their work on the phone, or the internet.

But photographers have to go there, camera in hand, and see for ourselves. And then once observed and recorded, share it with the world. A slice of time, as innocuously lovely as a sunset, or a family gathering, as momentous as an earthquake or an Olympics, or as deadly and forbidding as a war zone. It can be a fanciful bit of our imagination, or as steely and shrill as a political protest.

We witness. The compulsion to document the world around us is as compelling and necessary to photographers as breathing. I did a lot of work for LIFE, and the motto of the magazine rings true to this day, even though the publication is no longer. “To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, to draw closer, to find each other, and to feel, that is the purpose of life.”

The sound of the shutter is still thrilling to me. Still a sense of wonder at the camera. Seventy countries and counting. Sharing this roll call of pictures, in association with the @monroegallery, with whom I have a strong relationship nearly twenty years long. They are astounding folks, shepherding historically important imagery to be shared, to be seen, and thus to move those who do see it. They understand clearly the overarching value of important photography.

Pictures are our history, our memory, our sense of ourselves.
#worldphotographyday @monroegallery #photography ...

1112 47

joemcnallyphoto

View

Aug 17

Open
Beautiful light on the river! Sometimes, the sun is with you, and the colors of the scene mesh in ways you hope for, but never completely expect. (I mean being a photog, you have to always assume disaster and rain clouds are in your immediate future.😀) But here, on the Schuylkill River near Philly, color, light and gesture came together. Great assignment! Long lens, hold steady from a chase boat. #saturdaymorning #summertime #sunsetphotography #picoftheday #NikonAmbassador #Nikonpro #NikonD4S @nikonusa

Beautiful light on the river! Sometimes, the sun is with you, and the colors of the scene mesh in ways you hope for, but never completely expect. (I mean being a photog, you have to always assume disaster and rain clouds are in your immediate future.😀) But here, on the Schuylkill River near Philly, color, light and gesture came together. Great assignment! Long lens, hold steady from a chase boat.

#saturdaymorning #summertime #sunsetphotography #picoftheday #NikonAmbassador #Nikonpro #NikonD4S @nikonusa ...

1372 9

Supporters