From Jonathan Klein, Co-Founder and CEO of Getty Images
It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing to confirm that Chris Hondros died today of his injuries while covering events in Libya.
Chris never shied away from the front line and his work in Libya was no exception. He was one of the first photojournalists to join Getty Images when we set up our news business. He became a staff photographer in 2001 and there is little doubt that he deserves much of the credit for all that we have achieved in this area. Chris was an inspiration to me personally and to so many of his friends and colleagues. He will be sorely missed.
We are working to support his family and his fiancée as they receive this difficult news.
As you know, Chris was a renowned and highly awarded photojournalist who covered most of the world's major conflicts since the late 1990s, including wars in Kosovo, Angola, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Kashmir, the West Bank, Iraq, and Liberia. His work has appeared on the covers of magazines and he received dozens of awards, including multiple honors from World Press Photo, the International Pictures of the Year Competition, Visa Pour L'Image in France, and the John Faber award from the Overseas Press Club. In 2004 Chris was a Nominated Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Spot News Photography for his work in Liberia, and in 2006 he won the Robert Capa Gold Medal, war photography's highest honor, for his work in Iraq. He's also been named a 2007 "Hero of Photography" by American Photo magazine, and was a 2008 National Magazine Award finalist.
On a personal note, I have been fortunate to get to know Chris very well over the years. His talent, enthusiasm, passion and love of life makes it hard to imagine the world without him. Chris was a true hero in his dedication and commitment to bringing the important news and the stories of those less fortunate to us all -- from far off places. He reminded us of our common humanity.
When he brought Joe Raedle back from captivity in Libya a few weeks ago, he sat with me and told me in no uncertain terms that he had to cover the stories and take the pictures -- so that the world could know what was really happening and could act to prevent more human suffering.
We know that many in our offices and in our community are devastated by this news. Chris, may your memory be eternal.
Jonathan Klein
