When I was in Junior High, I dabbled with the guitar, including lessons at the YMCA and photography using my parent’s Pentax camera. As Christmas approached that year, I made my list asking for money to go towards either a guitar or camera. I was leaning towards a camera - the hot new Olympus OM-1. As we opened our presents on Christmas morning, I realized that my parents and grandparents had placed checks and cash into an assortment of festive boxes and wrappings throughout my gifts. In dribs and drabs, I saw enough money coming in that maybe, just maybe, I’d have enough. As soon as I could, I bolted to my room with my Christmas money, pulled out cash I had saved from summer jobs, and began counting. Dollar by dollar, I counted until there it was - I had enough to buy the Olympus OM-1!
Some of my first “architectural photography” as a kid
At that time, Hunt’s Drug of Malden (now called Hunt Camera) was open 365 days a year. I convinced my parents to drive me down there that Christmas afternoon to buy my very first camera. The OM-1 was perfect, and I used it almost every day until I got to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). I was always thankful to Hunt’s Drug for being open that Christmas day.
One of my first Holiday compositions with the OM-1
In the years following, Hunt’s Drug became my go-to camera store. As I prepared to leave for college, I learned that RIT wanted incoming photography students to have a 4x5 view camera. So, with the money I had saved from my part-time job at Balston Filter Company, I went back down to Hunt’s Drug to buy an inexpensive 4x5 view camera. It was a quiet weekday, and the owner was there. He overheard me reminiscing about my first camera purchase there on Christmas and that I was back to buy a 4x5 view camera. I explained that I was leaving for college and had just enough money for a basic unit. The owner paused and said, “ hold on, I might have something better.” He went out back and returned with a Sinar 4x5 kit. Sinar is a high-end Swiss manufacturer, the Porsche of view cameras. He said to me, “It has been out back collecting dust, the person who ordered it backed out. An no takers since.” He sold it to me for the funds I had on hand. At RIT, everyone gawked at my amazing camera. Even the school had only one in their inventory.
Yours truly showing some of my early work as an undergrad
As college ended, I wound up with all-new equipment in a way I could not have foreseen. About three weeks before graduation from RIT, our apartment in Rochester was broken into. The thief took my Sinar and my Nikon cameras, plus my roommate’s 2 ¼ Hasselblad system. They left the stereo. The police said it looked like one of our fellow students planned to set up a studio with our equipment. We never saw it again. But the insurance payment enabled me to start my career with the latest Nikon camera equipment. It goes without saying; I purchased it from Hunt’s Drug.
Fast forward to last month. Nikon announced a new camera with a dynamic range larger than my present equipment. The mirrorless Z9. It is a fantastic camera for Pros only and nearly impossible to obtain. Off I went to Hunt Camera, who worked miracles, and as soon as it is released, I’ll be at the head of the line to receive this superb piece of equipment.
That gift propelled this kid into a 40 plus year career as a leading edge professional photographer
Looking back over these many years, it’s amazing to think about the power of a gift or a small act of kindness. Consider a business owner who reached into his own pocket to help a kid on his way to college or a business that has come through for me time after time during my career. We often think of the Holidays as a time for presents – and of course, it is. But even more so, it is the opportunity to give a gift – something with the power to fascinate, inspire, and lift us up. Gifts can be for fun, or they can move mountains. That ride to Hunt’s on Christmas day so many years ago lit a spark, launched a career, and changed the trajectory of my life. It was a Christmas gift that propelled a kid’s future.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All
Gregg