Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com:
Scott Stewart’s home office is a gallery of his life's work. Photographs from his 28-year career as a Chicago Sun-Times photographer line three of the four walls. In 2013, at the age of 61, he was laid off from the newspaper. Forced to return to his earlier profession, he went back to firefighting, a path that had been in his family for generations.
Stewart comes from a long line of firefighters. His paternal grandfather served with the Rome Fire Department in Georgia, and his uncle worked in Cave Springs. As a child, Stewart would spend Sundays visiting Chicago firehouses with his father, who was close friends with then-Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert J. Quinn.
At just eight years old, Stewart lost his father, and at sixteen, he lost his mother. It was around this time that Quinn, then head of the Chicago Civil Defense Fire and Rescue Division, reached out and encouraged him to volunteer. Over the next decade, Stewart rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a captain.
While volunteering, he met Cathy, the woman who would become his wife. She was also a volunteer firefighter with the Merrionette Park Fire Department. Their paths crossed, and they built a life together—now married for 35 years.
Stewart’s love for photography began early. At age eight, he picked up his first camera, thanks to his neighbor Fred Stein, who became a mentor and helped shape his passion. Stein, a photographer at the Chicago Daily News, gave Stewart his first break in journalism.
In the 1970s, Stewart worked at Central Camera, where his boss allowed him to open a credit line so he could buy his first professional camera. Not long after, he captured a dramatic scene when two CTA buses crashed near 55th and Hyde Park. He rushed to the scene, took photos, and submitted them to several major publications. The papers bought his shots, earning him nearly $500—enough to pay off his camera debt.
He later studied photojournalism at Columbia College, graduating in 1977. That led to a job at the Sun-Times, first as a darkroom technician and later as a full-time photographer. One memorable moment came during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, when the president invited him into Air Force One to celebrate the birth of his daughter.
His dedication to capturing the truth led to one of the most iconic images of his career. In 1994, while covering gang violence in Chicago, he captured a powerful image showing a gun and drug deal taking place in front of children. That photo ultimately contributed to a 2011 Pulitzer Prize win.
After 28 years with the Sun-Times, Stewart was laid off in May 2013. He found work as a photographer for the Evergreen Park Fire Department but struggled to find steady employment. Eventually, he returned to firefighting, now serving as a lieutenant with the Merrionette Park Fire Department. He also works with the MABAS Division 21 Cause and Origin Team.
During a difficult period, Stewart juggled six jobs just to make ends meet. But in March, everything changed when he was diagnosed with a detached retina. After two surgeries and months of recovery, he faced another setback when the retina detached again. A fundraising campaign helped him get through the tough times.
Despite it all, Stewart remains grateful. He says he wouldn’t change a single moment. His passions—photography and firefighting—have always been intertwined, and he continues to embrace both. With the support of his wife Cathy and his deep love for his work, he stays positive and focused on what matters most.
Thanks, Dan
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