Sunday, April 30, 2023
My uncle Charley (was actually my cousin) had a huge influence in my life. I always wanted to be like him when I was younger. Well my family was visiting from California one time and I told him I was getting into photography. I had to be only 11-12yo at the time. So Charley told me to come with him. We go into a closet and he showed me his whole darkroom equipment he had. He looks at me and says “Well it’s yours if your parents will let you take it back with you all to California”. I was in shock. I ran into the living room where my parents were and asked them. They said sure but I don’t think they understood how big all this equipment was. So as we were leaving he said “when you become a Ansel Adams you’ll know who to thank. We laughed at it. So jump ahead another 16 years and I was now a full time professional photographer and we all came for the forth of July on Grand Lake with the the whole family there I was
Sharing some of my work to everyone. So when Charley grabbed my portfolio I was nervous. I wanted impress him more than anyone at the time. Still remembering the day he gave me all that equipment that did push me at a young age to become what I truly wanted in life. Well Charley looks at it. All and doesn’t say a word. He closes the portfolio and places it down and it was around dinner time and at the dinner table he announces to the whole family “I just want everyone to know that it was me that made this kid a photographer”. We all laughed at Charley taking the credit. But in reality it truly was him and my parents believing in me that did it. I reminded Charley about it all the last time we were together for another Fourth of July on the lake and he right away started telling the whole story how he made me a professional Photographer. My Uncle Charley was bigger than life to me and still is. I’m going to miss him so much. We shared in so many incredible times together that I will always cherish. Another memory was Charley in his Uncle Sam hat he wore every forty of July on the lake. No matter if it’s golfing or out to dinner Charley would wear it and walk in to restaurants saying “I Want You, and you, and you” to anyone in his sight. Lmao. I love you uncle Charley and you will always live in our hearts and memories. There are so many incredible memories.
