Courier Journal photojournalist Pat McDonogh retires after 45 years of documenting Kentucky
Pat McDonogh, Louisville Courier Journal
·3 min read
During my career, I’ve shaken hands with the Dalai Lama and photographed six U.S. presidents as well as the Queen and King of England.
I’ve also had my life threatened by actor Bill Murray and been in the line of fire on several occasions. I’ve documented the lives of Robert Penn Warren and Bill Monroe and played photographic hide-and-seek with Kurt Vonnegut.
I’ve gone on the road with NRBQ, drank boilermakers with Captain Lou Albano and stood on a football field with Tom Brady. I was there when Louisville knocked off Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl and the night Lamar Jackson won the Heisman trophy.
I photographed Pat Day’s only Kentucky Derby win and was on hand for two Triple Crown champions. Muhammad Ali once performed a magic trick for me, and I captured Mike Tyson out on his butt in the boxing ring.
I’ve slept on Bobby Bowden’s couch and on the steamboat, Natchez, following Hurricane Katrina.
I have a harmonica blown by Bob Dylan and the key to Wilson Pickett’s tomb. I’ve touched the stars on the ceiling of the Cathedral of the Assumption and the cross at the top of the east steeple of St. Joseph’s Church.
I’ve shared in two Pulitzer Prizes, appeared on "CBS Sunday Morning" and named Kentucky Photographer of the Year several times.
Fr. Roy Snipes says mass at La Lomita Chapel while his dogs, Charlotte, left and Bandito, right, lay on the brick floor. The chapel is at the center of a religious freedom lawsuit against the Federal government. The proposed border wall will cut off access to the site on the Rio Grande River. Sept. 17, 2019
A fan of Muhammad Ali reached out to touch his hearse during his motorcade through the city of Luisville. June 10, 2016
Roddrick Monroe, age 5, from Louisville, wore a boxing robe and gloves to the shrine at the Muhammad Ali Center, honoring the late boxer. June 8, 2016.
I’ve traveled all over the world to take photos and published several books. I’ve seen my share of sorrow and pain, covering hurricanes, floods, tornados, riots, pandemics and gun violence. I’ve also documented many unknown Kentuckians singlehandedly bettering their communities, like the late Mike Howard, the Mountain Santa of Harlan County, or Anthony Oxendine, the local mortician who gives away funerals to families of guns shot victims.
Despite being in the presence of Presidents and Queens, I will always identify with the common man.
Alas, all good things come to an end, even the best job in the world. After 45 years working as a news photographer, I’ve taken a buyout and am retiring. Friends have told me that I’ll know when it’s time to retire, and they’re right.
What a wild ride it’s been, a whirlwind of a career and a front-row seat to life's rich pageant. Thanks to all of you who have followed my work at The Courier Journal, and all those who’ve corresponded on social media. It means a lot to me.
Rev. Charles Elliott Jr., pastor of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church. 2019.
I know there is nothing that will fill the void of news photography and the euphoria of taking a great photograph, but nothing in life lasts forever.
As Warren Zevon bluntly put it, “Life’ll kill ya, life will find you wherever you go. Requiescat in pace, that’s all she wrote.”
Dave Allgood had a drink at the bar at the Peppermint Lounge, between stints at the microphone on karaoke night. July 9, 2016
Dairy Del owner Kevin Lawhorn finished cleaning the parking lot before closing his ice cream shop for the night. The shop has been in business since 1951. June 21 , 2018.
Kentucky music legend Bobby Osborne adjusts his famous super wide hat before going onstage at Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park, in Clay City, Ky. Nov. 9, 2019.
A man is flipped by Louisville Metro police officers and arrested for refusing to leave Jefferson Street during a morning of protests over the shooting death of Breonna Taylor by the police. June 17, 2020
The scene through the window of a butcher shop on Rue du Sablon, in Bastogne, Belgium. Dec. 14, 2019
A young man slam dances to straight edge and hardcore punk music at Spinelli's Pizza in downtown Louisville. Oct. 24, 2019.
Dylan O'Donoghue stood atop a barricade at Fifth and Jefferson Streets in Louisville, Kentucky and waved a Black Lives Matter flag. Protesters marched through the streets for another night, demonstrating for justice for the late Breonna Taylor. Sept. 26, 2020.
The driver of a Cadillac is silhouetted in the window of his car while participating in the Jeffersonville, Indiana Freedom Parade. July 3, 2021
Tim Schnurr, right, took a drink of beer while talking to Tim Thorpe, center, and Billy Phelps drank an orange juice in the background, at Hauck’s Handy Store. Oct. 19, 2018.
94 year-old George Merz, veteran of the Battle of the Bulge is greeted by a young student at the Noeville Belgium Public School. Dec. 13, 2019
The Not F..king Around coalition came to Louisville in support of racial justice while the 3% Militia also was in town. Louisville police kept the two groups apart with barricades. Sonoyia Largent, of Fayetteville, NC. Prayed on the sidewalk beside the 3 % group. July 25, 2020.
Louisville Metro police officers move in after firing tear gas to disperse protesters on Sixth Street. May 30, 2020
Cecil Ison stands with his dog Jabberwocky outside one of the buildings at the Home for Wayward Babydolls. April 19, 2019
Glen Hurley carries an upright bass along Broadway Street in Frankfort to the Thursday night Bluegrass music jam in Frankfort. May 11, 2017.
Jason Rheubottom struggles to open his locker at the W.E.B. DuBois Academy. Rheubottom is a sixth grader at the School. Sixth graders had just gotten their lockers for the school year. Oct. 17, 2019.
Prestyn Booker, 4, picks up a towel her father Charles Booker dropped as he was announcing he will run for Rand Paul's U.S. Senate seat. Background, left to right, wife, Tanesha Booker, mother, Earletta Hearn and daughter Kaylin. July 1, 2021
A bull jumps high in the air after tossing its rider during the Oldham County Fair rodeo. July 27, 2021
Anthony Oxendine, owner of Spring Valley Funeral Homes hands out pumpkins to passing motorists on West Broadway, in Louisville. Oct. 7, 2021
Kentucky State trooper Jeff McWhorter kept his cool while a group of teachers around him were losing theirs. McWhorter was assigned to keep protesting teachers at the foot of the steps leading to the House of Representatives at the Capitol building in Frankfort. April 13, 2018
Cortez Hassel, 16, pops a wheelie on his bike on Hoertz Avenue, next to Hauck’s Handy Store. Oct. 19, 2018.
Two thoroughbreds kept warm under heat lamps in their stalls at Michelle Lovell's stable on the backside of Churchill Downs. April 19, 2020
Ruby Craig, 5, leads tSeth Zega, 5, from the stage after being named Little Miss and Mr. Oldham County and the Oldham County Fair. July 30, 2019.
A groom held the nose of a horse to keep it calm while being bathed on the backside of Churchill Downs. April 27, 2018.
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Boeing shareholders voted Friday to back outgoing CEO Dave Calhoun's pay deal and reelection to the board, in an endorsement of company leadership as it faces heavy scrutiny over safety problems.Late Friday, Boeing disclosed in a securities filing that about 22 percent of the shares cast voted against Calhoun's reelection to the board, while 36 percent voted against the pay package.
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