A Great Loss!

Two exceptional photographers and great friends passed away in the last few days.  I have great memories of both and wanted to share something about each man.

Several years ago I had a dream, to produce a book from a project my son Wes and I were about to embark on.  I had sponsors and a plan, everything I needed except a publisher!  I had pitched the idea for America From 500 Feet to several publishing houses and while they all thought it was a great idea, none of them were willing to take a chance on it!  This is not an uncommon issue in trying to get a book published, after all, it is the publisher that takes the biggest risk and if it fails, they are the biggest loser!

While I was wringing my hands trying to figure out what to do, someone gave me a gift, a book by Jim Brandenburg, it was also a great idea!  Jim shot a picture a day for 90 days called Chased By The Light.  It was a great photo essay of his native area around the Canoe Boundary Waters National Recreation area, and it was incredible!  Having run a workshop with Jim I called him to offer congratulations and share how much I loved his new book!  During the phone call he asked what I was working on, photographers are always working on something!  I shared about my idea for an aviation portrait of America from and ultralight airplane, and he loved the idea, then I told him I didn’t have a publisher and was having trouble getting anyone to believe in my project as much as I did!  He surprised me by asking if I would mind if he told his editor at Northword Press about my idea and see if she was interested.  I told him I would really appreciate it!  A few days later I got a call from Barbara Harold, his editor, and she enthusiastically asked if Northword Press could produce my book!

She made an incredible offer and the rest is history.  America From 500 Feet went on to be an incredible success, all thanks to Jim’s kindness!  Jim was an extremely successful photographer and he didn’t have to offer his help, but he did!  I will forever be in his debt for his help.  That was who Jim Brandenburg was, someone who thought well beyond his own life and was a always ready to offer help to others, I was one of the lucky ones he reached out to!

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Bryan Peterson was among the most talented photographers I’ve ever known and beyond his abilities as a shooter was an incredible teacher!  Bryan lit up every room he ever entered!  He was funny, and always had an incredible smile for everyone he met!  I did many workshops with Bryan including a two week jaunt cross France with a small group.  I will always have great memories of time spent with him in the field.

At one event we called the Southwest Tour which was a 3 and half day tour of  Slot Canyons, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park Bryan showed his wonderful friendship with me at a breakfast during that tour.  We met at Ruby’s Best Western for breakfast on one of the tour days after a sunrise shoot at Bryce Canyon and Bryan came to the breakfast table and announced he could longer work for what I was paying him!  I told Bryan that I wish I could pay more, but I was loosing money paying what I was paying now!  To my shock he said I know, you’re paying all of us (all the photographers we worked with), to much!  He said all of the photographers I was hiring would work for less, that I was to generous, and that I should ask all of the speakers if they would consider taking less!

That next week I asked all my presenters if they would work with me, and they all said yes and it saved our business!  How many people do you know that would negotiate for less of a fee!  Bryan loved what we were doing and was kind enough to help me run the business in a better way that allowed it to be  a success!  Bryan inspired me. constantly as a shooter, but even more as a friend!  I’ll miss him!

When your life is going great and good things are happening to you, take a moment and think about how you got to where you are!  I’ll bet a Jim or Bryan was a big art of your success as well!  Thankfulness is recognizing we didn’t get here alone!

God Speed my dear friends, I hope you’re enjoying your new Heavenly Home!

See you soon!

Blessings,

the pilgrim