My career as a photographer has changed a lot in the 40 years since it began. 

My first efforts at picture taking were made on film cameras that depended upon my thumb to get from frame to frame. Now new digital cameras are introduced every six months or so that can create 40 frames per second with the push of a button.

While the equipment may have changed the work is still the same. Likewise the calendar of events I cover for this website is still full most every week and I often put in more hours than I should. But one of the reasons I don’t mind is because of something the website owner Dave Vilhauer always tells me. 

Family First

While that is his motto, most employers don’t always think that way. I know there were too many times assignments at the newspapers I worked for caused me to miss out on time at home after dinner with my daughters while they grew up. Oh I made it to the school concerts and dance recitals, but there were many other moments I am sure I missed.

What brought this all to mind and got me to writing is two things: First was looking ahead at all the state tournaments that will be in the Aberdeen area this June and reminding Dave in passing that my granddaughter in Kansas City also celebrates a birthday that month. His reply: Family First. 

Second was seeing the moment above when my teammate Jacque Niles chose a spot near the end of the Aberdeen Civic Arena basketball court as her vantage point to watch a girls basketball game. The reason: so she could better entertain her youngest child while covering the contest. Again Family First. 

They say that with age comes wisdom and I believe there is one thing I am smart enough to understand. Having that simple family first work policy can get my employer a multi-fold return on his investment. I don’t want to speak for Jacque, but I know I feel grateful to be able to continue to do what I love for a living, all the while knowing I get to have all the time I need with my family when it matters.