The town photographer
One of my favorite memories belonging to someone else was told by my mom. She used to tell me stories of her life from the time before any of us kids were born and one of my favorites is her “bat woman” story.
She was on the back of a motorcycle with my dad one dark and rainy day, riding hard with a pack of friends down a lone country road with fields of wheat on both sides. Riding way too fast on a curve, Dad couldn’t make the curve. He just broke from the road, heading into the field of wheat at breakneck speed. The two were wearing rain ponchos, doing their best to stay dry. When they hit the field, Mom’s rain poncho suddenly exploded out with a rush of air as my dad did his best not to lay the bike down.
The rest of the pack of riders said all they could see when they rode by the wheat field was a giant wing in the shape of a bat, no riders or motorcycle, just a giant bat flying through a wheat field. From that day forward the group called her “bat woman.”
Memories help tie us to those around us in a way that nothing else can, whether it is memories told or memories made with those around us - they help shape the way others see us. That can be good or bad but it is our experiences and memories that make us who we are.
What are some memories you love most? Do they include a parent, friend or loved one?
I have always loved how music becomes intertwined with memories as we make them. All it takes is hearing a certain song to instantly transport us back in time, reliving those memories all over again.
Photos are another great catalyst to helping memories come alive again and it is one of the reasons I love photography. It was memories as a kid that helped guide me into becoming a photographer and it is those memories I see when looking at old photos that really motivate me to capture memories in the community.
The thought of someone looking at my photos from community events 20 or 50 years from now really makes my heart full, knowing in some small way that I have captured something special for people to look back on.
Ever since I saw the work of John Lasater, who was like the town photographer and ran a studio in Olney for years, I wanted to be the updated version, capturing community events to document this wonderful little community.
After John Lasater passed away, his son took over the business for many years to keep his father’s love of capturing the community alive. I work towards that goal of being remembered like Lasater was but am happy to capture Olney as the years roll by, remembered or not.
This is Will B saying, Say cheese and smile!