Reading the responses from everybody regarding the question above was pretty remarkable and made me realize my original answers to my own question a few days ago barely touched the surface.    It’s impossible for any of us to really identify all the people who have been an influence.    As I read comments, especially from Kay Eskridge and Scott Bourne,  I realized there’s a whole bunch of people who have been incredibly influential in my own career, going well beyond photography.  

Don Blair, taught me and thousands of others about posing, lighting and most important of all – if you don’t do it with passion and integrity then don’t do it!   He never stopped teaching or learning and when somebody once asked him, “What’s the best photograph you’ve ever taken?” His answer was, “I don’t know, I haven’t taken it yet!”   At another workshop he was asked, “All your models are beautiful – so what do you do when you have to photograph an ugly bride?”  His answer, “There’s no such thing!”  

Bambi Cantrell, who after writing three books together, countless programs and a constant flow of ideas on marketing, strengthening our industry and grasping new technologies, taught me that nothing is impossible and friendship always trumps everything else.     Some times I wonder if Nike stole their slogan, “Just do it!”  from Bambi.  I’ve seen her style change many times over the years, being the perpetual student of society, trends, technology and marketing.  Over and over again she’s worked to teach us that our only limitations are our own fears.   As one of Don Blair’s most favorite “neices”, it should come as no surprise that she was the one who gave us the original idea for his book,  Body Parts.

Terry Deglau is responsible for so many parts of my career and  I’m certainly not alone.  During his years at Kodak there were thousands of portrait and wedding photographers who he helped either directly or indirectly through the Kodak Pro Team.  Although, today he’s technically retired, no photographer ever really retires!    The book he’s working on currently captures some of the finest portraits ever created in our industry.  His spirit, patience and being one of my favorite buddies to travel with, has been an inspiration.

I’m one of the luckiest guys in photography and here’s an example.   When Don Blair and I did the Body Parts book it’s not surprising that Terry Deglau, Tony Corbell and Bambi Cantrell were all involved!

So, it’s a lazy Sunday morning and this is one of the first posts I’ve written that is meant to be a little more reflective, but it all sounds so trite.    The truth is, like most of you, I have a hard time identifying those key people who have been influential and inspirational.  The more I think about it the more I realize the people I’ve missed.  There are hundreds of you who inspire us and keep the passion for photography alive.   You help to make this industry an amazing career destination!

I’ve been screwing up a quote from Alfred Lord Tennyson for years, but you’ll get the idea, “I am a part of all that I have met.”   The truth is, everything we do, especially in imaging and defining our own style, is the combined influence of  hundreds of people who have helped us to become who we are, developed our style and kept our passion to create the ultimate image alive and well!