They call Ken Hackman “The Godfather” of military visual information. The first part of this distinguished title comes from his founding of the Air Force photojournalism program in 1971 and shaping it into what it is today.
Most of this enduring title comes from Mr. Hackman’s ability to mentor and shape young photographers, and give them the training and expertise they need to be successful. His creative approaches, such as a “Gong Show” contest of best photos or a video teleconference to critique others ‘ work is only matched by his ability to focus on the individual, while molding their career field. Hackman’s love of photography since age 11 eventually propelled the Lancaster, Pa., native into an Air Force photography career at the age of 17. Ken Hackman left the service after his first enlistment, and then in 1960 he became an Air Force civil service photographer with the Aerospace Audiovisual Service, until his retirement in 1995.
The second part of this title comes from Ken’s own extensive portfolio of excellence to include:
Photographing the Vietnam War, summer Olympic games at Montreal, Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta and winter Olympic games at Lake Placid, Calgary and Lillehammer, this last one being his favorite. He also photographed in 1962 the final atmospheric atomic bomb testing in the Pacific, subsequent hi-explosive testing in Canada, and military contingency exercises as well as humanitarian and news events around the world. He was selected to photograph the AF Band at the Kennedy Center, Band of Air Force Reserve in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Russia, and documentary imagery of Air Force life and mission. Ken took the official photographs of Air Force One from 1975 to 2000 and most Air Force inventory aircraft from the 1960 to 1995.
During this time he literally covered the world photographically for the Air Force and the Department of Defense. Since retirement from the Air Force he has photographed the making of the IMAX film “Fighter Pilot”, on the Red Flag exercises at Nellis AFB, NV. He did stories for U.S. Dept of Agriculture publications, stories on “Country Stores” and “Cigars” for World Photo Press. He has also continued to photograph, since 1998, the annual Operation Season Greeting tours of overseas bases by the AFRS band and guest artists including, Blues Traveler, Kid Rock and his band, Hootie and the Blowfish, Restless Heart, Carlos Mencia, Andy Andrews, Dick Hardwick, Melina Leon, Jamie O’Neal, and New England Patriot Cheerleaders.
Hackman’s photographic and management achievements have been recognized by a number of professional organizations, most recently by the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) where he was given the 2013 Joseph A. Sprague award which was established in 1949, and is the highest honor in the field of photojournalism. It is awarded to not more than two individuals each year and is granted only if achievement is, in the opinion of the Committee on Honorary Recognitions, of a sufficiently high standard.
This follows his earlier recognitions by the NPPA when he received their “President’s Award” and “Kenneth McLaughlin Award” given to those rendering continuing outstanding service in the interests of news photography. He was included Kodak’s “Professional Photographer’s Showcase” award and received an honorary diploma from Syracuse University’s Photography Department. In 2002 he was selected as an adjunct professor for the Syracuse University “study abroad program” in London, England. On arrival he procured computers, scanners and printers for use by the students in a digital darkroom. During the one semester course he taught a select group of 20 Syracuse third and fourth year students, photojournalism, and visual communication techniques and resulted in a limited edition photo book being produced
In 1997 Mr. Hackman, along with twenty other “atomic bomb chroniclers” was recognized in a tribute by the American Film Institute’s for the U.S. atomic photographers and cinematographer. In 2002 he was honored by his name being identified with the “Ken Hackman Electronic Imaging Center” at the dedication of the new facility for the 4th Combat Camera Sq. at March ARB, CA. A recent honor is having the one of the “Shoot Off” workshop’s competition categories named “The Hackman Challenge”.
Mr. Hackman was nominated in 1996 as one of six Air Force civilians for the DoD Distinguished Civilian Service Award. In June of 2011 he was awarded the Dept. of Defense’s Exceptional Public Service Award for his years of coordinating, directing and conducting the Military Photographer of the Year (25 years) the Military Videographer of the Year (22 years) the Military Graphic Artist of Year (7 years) competitions and for Co-founding and Director of the DoD Worldwide Military Photography workshop for 21 years. For this service he was awarded; “The Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service”
In 1995 his photographic work was featured in a one-man exhibition, “Photographic Nomad – A Forty Year Odyssey” and then in 2004 Ken Hackman had a joint exhibition of his photographs and his wife’s artwork, “A Sense of Order – Two Westerners Look East” at Taft College, CA.
Ken Hackman is a veteran of the “film age” of photography. However, he has embraced the new “digital age” in photography. He feels strongly that although technology has changed drastically, the need for creative people hasn’t. Those same creative people must also know how to market their photos to succeed in the industry. Society has an insatiable appetite for imagery, so it’s not only taking good photos, but also getting those photos to the right people that will make a difference for the future of Visual Imaging.