Seattle Times photojournalist Jimi Lott was remembered for his deep compassion for society’s most vulnerable and for his ability to find humor and humanity through his lens. Over a two-decade career, he covered stories of poverty, homelessness, and mental illness with uncommon empathy, often spending hours with subjects before ever taking a photograph. His work earned him numerous honors, including the 1997 Pulitzer Prize as part of the Times’ investigative team on Boeing 737 safety, the Cowles Cup, multiple Associated Press awards, and recognition in Pictures of the Year International.
Colleagues described Lott’s photographs as images that “looked into his subject’s soul.” He was known for his generosity, giving money, toys, and even computers to those in need. Beyond journalism, he was a passionate musician and a mentor to young photographers.
After his death in 2005 at age 52, friends and colleagues organized silent print auctions and fundraising efforts to honor his memory. These donations helped establish the Jimi Lott Memorial Scholarship, administered by the National Press Photographers Foundation (NPPF). Awarded annually, the scholarship supports aspiring photojournalists in continuing the kind of compassionate, socially conscious storytelling that defined Lott’s career.
The scholarship ensures that Lott’s legacy endures — encouraging future generations to combine technical excellence with empathy, creativity, and a commitment to giving voice to the overlooked. Just as Lott used photography to spotlight the struggles and dignity of marginalized communities, the scholarship in his name carries forward his passion for visual storytelling as both art and service.
Jimi Lott
Photojournalist Jimi Lott was known for his care for the less fortunate and for his visual sense of humor. He died in 2005 at age 52. His death…
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