Spotlighting the stupendous class of Young Guns 20
Nearly 100 renowned industry professionals made up the jury for Young Guns this year. And after revealing the 84 finalists, it is finally time to unveil the 31 winners who make up the class of Young Guns 20.
Every year, we add another class of young talent from all over the globe to the exclusive Young Guns community. The winners of Young Guns 20 are your next project directors, animators, designers, editors, illustrators, artists, photographers, storytellers, coders, and writers. So this is your cue to follow them on Instagram immediately– because they are our industry’s future legends after all.
In two weeks, the winners will fly into NYC from around the world to celebrate their accomplishments, make new friends, have a few cocktails, and take home their official Young Guns Cube. We can’t wait to celebrate with them at Sony Hall on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 6:30 PM– and we hope to see you there too!
Before the party begins, we took the time to get to know each of our winners so you can read up on the highly creative individuals who make up Young Guns 20.
JACKIE MOLLOY
PHOTOJOURNALIST & VISUAL STORYTELLER
Based:
NEW YORK CITY
Hometown:
COMMACK, NEW YORK
How did you first hear about Young Guns? What were your initial impressions of the Young Guns competition — the award and the community?
I first heard about Young Guns when their team reached out to me suggesting I apply for it. In truth I didn’t know a lot about it, but in true journalistic fashion that quickly changed. I really enjoy the fact that the competition is open to people from all over the world and highlights all different types of creatives, so I immediately knew I wanted to apply. I think it's rare to find a contest that isn't more industry specific, so I love that this is for all creatives, it really makes it stand out.
Congrats on the first time win! What made you enter this year?
This is my first time applying, but I felt ready because my portfolio is at a place where it really represents the kind of storyteller I am. I have had incredible opportunities to work on stories I have pitched and been assigned to by amazing publications and felt like this was the right time to share them collectively.
How did you decide which six pieces were best to enter and truly reflected you and your work?
When it came to submitting the projects, I wanted to share work that is authentic to me as a visual storyteller. Work that I connect to on a professional and personal level. As a freelancer, I balance creating a mix of daily assignment work, portraits, and stories, but long-form work has a special place in my heart and those are the stories I chose to share. I really connect with the intimacy those stories convey. It reminds me of the trust and bond I make with the people I have the privilege to photograph.
What went through your mind when you discovered that you won, especially knowing how difficult it is to make it into Young Guns?
I was thrilled when I found out! The list of finalists is so impressive and everyone has such a unique eye and skillset. My favorite part about this is how diverse the people and work are. It's really special to see work from all over the world.
When I apply to contests, I have very low expectations going into it and have a tendency to try to forget about them and kind of throw it to the back of my brain. When I found out I was among the finalists, I was blown away! I was alone in my apartment in NYC when I got the email I had been selected and just took the moment to appreciate how far I have come over the years. Freelancing can be really hard and this is truly rewarding and validating. It really is incredible to be listed amongst so many talented people.
How would you describe your personal brand in one sentence? Now, try defining it in three words.
I always aim for the work to be honest and convoy emotions. Intimate. Compassionate. Honest.
Who are some of the biggest influences on you and your career?
Many different people have helped influence my career. Honestly, the people I document have had such a meaningful impact on me and continue to inspire me. The work I do can be very odd when you think about it- I show up at a stranger's home and they open up their lives to me. We have to quickly bond and trust one another and it's beyond special. They are a constant reminder of why I do the work I do, and how spectacular it is to constantly be learning about new people, cultures, and histories.
I have had some amazing mentors including James Estrin and Ed Kashi, and am currently being mentored through the Leica x VII Photo mentorship. I also need to mention my fantastic family and friends who support me everyday.
Some photographers I admire are Hannah Reyes Morales, Elinor Carucci, Lisa Sorgini, and César Rodríguez.
Now that you’re in the Young Guns crew, are there any past winners you look up to and admire? What is it about their work that you love?
Emily Rhyne (YG19) who is a journalist and filmmaker working at The New York Times is immensely talented. She is able to capture beautiful stories and adapt to so many different situations from the Olympics, to grieving families of the Uvalde victims, to her film on Bob Ross that won an Emmy.
Name a creative dream that you have yet to fulfill — hey, maybe Young Guns can help propel you in that direction!
A creative dream of mine is to bring authentic storytelling into the branded content world. I would love to start working for companies whose mission I believe in to create work using real stories. As an example, I am really passionate about topics such as caregiving, maternal health, and parenting, and working with brands with similar missions can be an effective way to share stories with people who are directly impacted by a topic. As humans, we want to see more of ourselves reflected in the marketing and advertisements we see, and I think there is a lot of space to explore there.
"A creative dream of mine is to bring authentic storytelling into the branded content world... As humans, we want to see more of ourselves reflected in the marketing and advertisements we see, and I think there is a lot of space to explore there."
This is YG20, but what do you imagine you’ll be up to when YG30 rolls around in 2032, both personally and professionally?
OOF, big question. I hope first and foremost future Jackie still loves the work she does as much as 2022 Jackie. I wish for her a successful career and personal life, which hopefully includes a happy work-life balance (still working on that). I hope in the future I have continued to be open minded to the world and new experiences. Ideally, I will have traveled and explored some new places, and read many fantastic books. It would be great if I finally learned how to sew and have a home with a dishwasher. Overall, though, I hope to still be telling stories, meeting people from all walks of life, and doing it with the same energy and love that I do today.
Any thoughts on how you are feeling about winning YG20? Best piece of advice you have ever received? Will we see you at the official YG20 party in NYC?
The best advice I have is simple– be kind to others, it goes a long way. I am honored to have won YG20 and look forward to meeting the other winners and being a part of this wonderful community. You will see me at the YG20 party in NYC in November. I'm looking forward to it!
Come party with us and celebrate all the Young Guns 20 winners on Wednesday, November 16 at Sony Hall!
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