“You cannot look away from the hurt, the stress, the exhaustion, the bravery, and the pride.” Joe McNally captured life-sized Polaroids of 9/11 first responders on a camera the size of a small garage. 25 years later, he revisits the story

Twenty-five years after completing his iconic series of life-sized Polaroids of 9/11 first responders, New York-based photographer Joe McNally is revisiting the story at a special event in New York City. The Faces of Ground Zero, a collection of 272 portraits capturing the emotions, bravery, and pride of those who responded to the terrorist attacks, originally made history as the largest Polaroid series ever created.

McNally, renowned for his portrait and assignment photography, chose to use a massive camera the size of a small garage to take these extraordinary images. The world's largest Polaroid camera, built by Dr. Edwin Land, was able to produce life-sized 9x7-foot prints, creating an intimate and emotionally engaging experience for viewers.

At the Adorama event, McNally will discuss the inspiration behind The Faces of Ground Zero and how he managed to capture such powerful and authentic moments. With the camera's unique setup, the subjects had to remain completely still while the camera was prepared and focused. Once the flash fired, the subject was forever frozen in time, showcasing the depth of human emotion and resilience in the aftermath of 9/11.

The event, which is free to attend, will also feature a selection of the Polaroid photographs from the series, giving attendees a chance to experience the impact of these life-sized portraits firsthand. Live streaming of the event will be available on Adorama’s YouTube channel, allowing those unable to attend in person to still witness this remarkable tribute to the 9/11 heroes.