There are hundreds of different adages to represent the feeling of not knowing what to say or how to best express your thoughts at a given moment. One of the most common sayings, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” dates back to the earliest parts of the 20th century and is almost used as a cliche today.

As a former columnist at both The Detroit News and The Birmingham Eccentric Newspaper, Linda Solomon is familiar with the art of storytelling and wordsmithing. As a photojournalist, however, Solomon understands the true power of capturing photographs that speak louder than any words on a paper or choir of voices could ever imagine.  That’s why photography is such a driving force behind her successful career.

A noteworthy career

 Solomon is an internationally recognized photojournalist, author, mentor, educator and philanthropist. Her work is regularly published as she authors, co-authors or lends her photographic talents to others for book publications. Some of the titles Solomon is best known for include:

  • “The Key: Celebrated People Unlock Their Secrets to Life”
  • “People We Know, Horses They Love”
  • “The Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, An Intimate Portrait,” an award-winning book of never-before-seen moments of her dear friend

While she has received well-deserved praise for her ability to shine a spotlight on the “Queen of Soul,” it’s only right to reflect on other household names that have been in front of Solomon’s lens. She has photographed Diana Ross, Halle Berry, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth Taylor and Barbara Walters – to name a few.  (You can learn more about Solomon’s celebrity experiences in this intimate article in the Birmingham – Bloomfield Downtown News Magazine, authored by AWC Detroit member Lisa Brody, a past Media Room Spotlight recipient.)

Solomon is also a member of the prestigious Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, inducted in 2011 for her photo essays on televised programs like “Good Morning America” and “World News Tonight” as well as her life mission to introduce the art of photography to others.

Using her talents for good 

With the goal to help children living with homelessness better express their innermost feelings, Pictures of Hope was born. Solomon shares her knowledge of how to take captivating photos, then presents each child at a homeless shelter with a digital camera and their first photography assignment.

The organization has impacted children in 50 cities with some of the highest homeless populations and has led many of those children to pursue dreams they didn’t even think were possible. The organization creates unique greeting cards with photos submitted by each child, selling them online and donating 100% of the profits back to the shelters they live in.

Seeing others flourish

Solomon considers her educational and philanthropic programs to be the most rewarding experiences of her entire career. “When you show children that you care about what they dream for in life,” says Solomon on her official website, “Perhaps a child who never felt he or she had self-worth, now will.”

She has reached over one million children since they were founded, including one of Pictures of Hope’s greatest success stories, Brittnie Pemberton. Pemberton dreamed of becoming the first person in her family to earn a college degree.

At age nine, she took a poignant photo of the San Diego State University sign and was offered a full-ride scholarship to the university if she met all of their conditions by the time she graduated from high school. Pemberton received the scholarship and went on to complete both her undergraduate and graduate degrees – all thanks to one photo and Solomon’s program.

Advice for future women in journalism

 With such an extensive career, Solomon has experienced both the highs and lows of the photojournalism industry. Her advice for future generations is simple and succinct: stay focused on your goals no matter what is thrown at you.

“Rejection is one person’s opinion and that opinion is wrong! Don’t be dissuaded,” she says. “Be positive about your hopes and dreams. Don’t let rejection impact you.”

Congratulations to Linda on her Media Room Spotlight recognition!