Misan Harriman: The Photo That Changed Everything - Visionaries Episode 2

In June 2020, a single photograph taken by Misan Harriman at a Black Lives Matter protest went viral — shared by Martin Luther King III and seen by millions across the world. Almost overnight, Misan went from self-taught photographer to becoming the first Black male cover photographer in British Vogue’s history.

In this conversation with Alice Aedy for Visionaries, Misan reflects on the image that changed his life, the role of protest photography in shaping culture, and the responsibility of storytellers to capture truth and legacy.

This episode is brought you by MPB, who make it easy for storytellers to buy, sell or trade camera gear. Find your next camera at ⁠⁠⁠MPB⁠⁠.⁠

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Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction: The Photo That Changed Everything 00:02:25 The Black Lives Matter Image: Darcy Bourne 00:05:53 Finding Inspiration: The Masters of Photography 00:08:14 The First Black Man to Shoot British Vogue's September Cover 00:10:15 What Happens When Opportunity Comes 00:11:38 Picking Up the Camera at 40 00:12:40 Neurodiversity as a Superpower 00:17:04 Intersectional Issues 00:21:00 From Recruitment to Photography 00:22:14 Documenting Protests and Student Movements 00:25:35 Navigating Celebrity and Activism 00:29:30 Building Trust Through Vulnerability 00:31:46 Misan on Fatherhood 00:36:47 Hope in a Time of Reset 00:42:06 The Cost of Speaking Out 00:39:41 Misan's Advice for Storytellers

Visionaries with Alice Aedy

Producer - Chloe Puttock Art Director - Liliana Saldanha

Director - Issey Rider Camera Operator - Stephan Knight + Sam Mulvey Lighting - Al Rice

Editor - Tom Forsey + Paolina Stefani Colour Grade - Jasper Brown

Music by the talented Jon Hopkins