Mainly in the 20th century the photographic tradition referred as social documentary photography or social photography was devoted to 'social groups' with socio-economic and cultural similarities. Motives are often living or working conditions perceived as shameful, discriminatory, unjust or harmful, and poverty. Examples are numerous: child labor, child neglect, homelessness, poverty among segments of society, impoverished children and the elderly, working conditions in Brazilian gold mines, living in satellite cities, farmers, hazardous industrial working conditions, etc.

Iris Imaging's current concerns are terrorism (define as political violence against civilians), economic development,  and substance abuse.

In the past Mike McCray has championed cause of the Afghans during the Soviet occupation, homeless men and seniors.