Sherelene and I were talking the other night and I commented to her that at 78 years of age, I simply can’t believe how my life has turned out!  I’ve been blessed beyond measure!  She said why do you think that is so?  Of course she knew the  answer to that question but it allowed me to go back to near the beginning and think of all the people that have a profound affect on my life!  First I am sure that were it not for my Heavenly Father all the blessing and people would never have come into my life!

 

I have to start with my family;  Sherelene, Scott, Wesley and Catherine.  Each have been a huge part of my success.  They have all supported me, loved me and allowed me to go out and pursue my dreams!  After along times on the road they were always waiting for my return and have been the greatest blessings of my life!

 

Early in my photography career the late Don Nelson, one of Nikon’s greatest sales reps took me under his wing and opened countless doors for me that allowed me to meet and work with photographic luminaries I would have never otherwise met!  He also became one of my best friends!

 

Because of Don I met Bill Pekala the long time head of Nikon Professional Services who. also became a great friend and later hired me to be a NPS tech rep for 11 years with Nikon!  Bill also assigned me to countless exciting events across America once again leading to my meeting and working with hundreds of leaders of many fields!  I got to be part of a extraordinary team of professionals who taught me so much!

 

While teaching and running the Great American 
Photograph Weekends programs I worked with Cliff Zenor, Mike Ellison, Tony Sweet, David Akoubian and R.C. Concepcion.  They all were great friends!

 

While on an assignment in Nashville I met and got to know country music legend Ricky Skaggs and we went on to become great friends and brothers in the Lord!

 

While living in Harlan in the 70’s Dr. Jerry Bryson and his wife Pat led a home Bible study that ended up being a pivotal part of mine an Sherelene’s growth as young Christians, we owe them a great debt gratitude!  Their lessons live with us everyday!

 

 

Four other men that have had a profound affect on my walk and are dear friends; left to right Dr. Chuck Summers, the pilgrim, the late Dr. Charles Stanley and Ken Jenkins.

 

While getting to know Charles Stanley I met one off his very best friends Carl Turner, once again, God placed him in my life as a dear friend and valued encourager and great friend!  He inspires me everyday!

 

The late Bryan Jolley was an incredible inspiration to me in so many ways, especially his enormous faith and compassion!

 

When I retired from Nikon a very long time friend, Jack Graham and I deepened our friendship and he invited me to teach workshops together with him!  Over ten ten years of working together we have cemented a great friendship!  Jack is a great photographer, leader, friend and brother!

 

 

While teaching with His Light Workshop I met and became close friends with Jim Begley, a dear brother and friend and a great shooter!  In an early workshop in Savannah with Scott Kelby, another wonderful friend I met another very dear brother and friend Jim Haverstock!  Jim has become a very dear mentor to me spiritually!  I seek his counsel often!

 

I am very sure that someone who deserves to mentioned in this blog is not here, remember, I’m 78, pleae forgive me!

 

I count all these people as real blessings from the Lord!

 

In Him,

 

the pilgrim

 

While working at the Reno Air Races a few years ago, we found a magazine  featuring actor/pilot John Travolta in a Brietling aviation watch ad.  We pulled the logo from the add and  replaced the photo of John with one of me posing with a plane out on the tarmac and created this ad!  I do have over 200 flight hours, actually far more and I wear a Brietling watch, but the rest was all just for fun!

Because of Photoshop it’s hard to know what to trust in photos!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

The old School House at Cumberland Gap National Historic Park.

 

I have always loved this shot, it was made with an old Nikon and the 18mm lens.  I love it because it brings back to my memory the last school room I taught in in the early 70’s, the last school room in the state of Kentucky to be heated by a pot belly stove just like the one in this picture! I remember how much fun it was to see those 6th graders learn and get better prepared for life!  That was the last time that what I taught had such an important impact on people’s lives.

 

Almost all my teaching since then has been helping people learn how to be a better photographer!  While that has been rewarding too, it has not been as impactful as what those 6th graders learned!  It is satisfying to see my new students benefit from what I and my fellow instructors are able to share!

 

My current student is Dr. Tony Rogers, my heart surgeon from last year!  I met Tony in the pre-surgery meeting and we have become great friends ever since.  Now that he has retired, he has had time to work on his photography skills!  Tony just did his first week long photo trip to Maine, on his own,  and I’m thrilled with his images.  It is very rewarding to see his great progress in such a short time!  Please allow me to share some of my favorites of his, with you.

 

 

So there you go!  I’m thrilled with Tony’s vision and his skill to bring it all together!  Maybe the joy of seeing people develop new skills is important?  I’m happy that God has given me something I can share!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love October…..football, fall color, cooler temperatures, it’s all great!  Well most of it!  I’m a fan of so much of fall, but not a big fan of Halloween though.  Kids dressing up for trick or treat is fine, a few pumpkins and fall wreaths on the doors, that’s all good, but these demonic decorations, no so much!  I get it, most people don’t mean it the way it appears, but come on folks, some of these decorations while clever and interesting, even give me the heebee jeebies!  Here are some examples from my sub division.

 

 

 

This last one is more my speed!  After all how can you go wrong with Buc-ee from Buc-ees!!!!

 

OK, that’s enough!  I hope your fall its going great, and watch out for scary clowns and skeletons!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim