Love and Pictures

I’ve always believed in the power of pictures, and the power of love. The simple fact these two irresistibly wonderful things intersected in the course of our lives is something to hold close, every day.

My wife, Annie Cahill, has created a wonderful arc for her photo career, from shooting pictures during her love for motorsports days to articulating camera technology to thousands of photographers of all genres during her time at Nikon. From there, she went onto create the professional division at Adorama Camera with a wonderfully talented team, a section of the store that became a haven and a go-to resource for all manner of gear and education. And for years now she has directed the social media and marketing efforts here at our studio, forging a path and getting trained up and figuring things out with the daily onslaught of changing technology.

She navigates all of that, while our studio manager and executive producer Lynn DelMastro, who has been with the studio now for over thirty years, directs the assignment and production side of the house, producing jobs with utter professionalism and perfection, in addition to managing a million other things. She wears many hats during the average studio day (Is there an average studio day?) and also replies with aplomb and grace to those who initiate a contact with the phrase, “We love your pictures, but have no budget.” It’s a formidable team.

And me, well, I’m the anchor on the whole operation.

The photographic life is an uncertain one, as has been said many times, but there are immutable touchstones. A life together, of adventures, illustrated silliness, anticipated images and destinations.

A favorite shot below from many years ago from photographer Tom Sperduto…

And another favorite from a Penn State Game back in the day taken by photographer Annemarie Mountz…

And there are unexpected gifts, such as just occurred via the wonderful auspices of the remarkable London-based camera shop Grays of Westminster, and their fabled, highly-respected magazine, Nikon Owner. The ever astute editor, Gillian Greenwood, has initiated a series Women in Photography, and included Annie. It’s an excellent article, illustrating, as Gillian intended, the variety of paths available within this industry. It’s possible to have tremendous impact not just from using a camera on a daily basis but from showing others how to use it, and adapting and learning on a continuous basis about the many directions a visual career can take. And shooting some beautiful images along the way.

And so it goes. Pictures and life still out on the horizon. We celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary next week.

More tk….