Don Puckett, The Journey Begins
“Always enjoy the journey, for we never know where the decisions we make will lead us.”
My genuine passion for photography ignited on July 19, 1970, when I received a camera at a Yearbook Workshop at Furman University in Greenville, SC. That workshop was where I fell in love with photography, marking the start of my journey. I still possess the certificate that commemorates the beginning of what has become a lengthy and successful career as a professional photographer. Since then, a camera has always been in my hands, capturing moments and expanding my collection of prints, many of which have been transformed into art prints for my Don Puckett Gallery Collection. I honed my photography skills working on the yearbook and freelancing for the local newspaper. Seeing my work published was always a delightful experience.
My professional career began with my first studio in Calhoun, GA, followed by the opening of a second in Cartersville, GA. I then advanced to the role of Photographic Manager at CPD Corporation, a major photography firm in Chicago, IL, overseeing more than 50 professional photographers. While in Chicago, I obtained my pilot’s license and later, in 1982, co-founded Camelot Portraits and C&P Photo Lab in Alsip, IL, with my partner John Clark. In 1983, I relocated Camelot Portraits to Mobile, AL, and developed it into a national photography company, achieving annual sales exceeding one million dollars. Moving away from the fast-paced, high-volume corporate photography scene, from family portraits to glamour shots, it’s now a pleasure to photograph a single family at each sunrise or sunset along our beautiful Gulf Coast beaches or on the Georgia mountainsides, creating art pieces or masterpieces for families to cherish for years to come.
Photography has undergone significant changes over the past 44 years; the medium has evolved, yet the fundamentals remain unchanged. We capture subjects bathed in light, be it natural or artificial, and transform these images into art for others to appreciate and to seize moments in time. The field is ever-evolving; digital cameras have removed much of the skill once required in photography, enabling even novices to produce good results under ideal conditions. Owning a fine set of pans doesn’t make one a chef, just as having a camera doesn’t make one a photographer. It’s in the challenging moments, when elements are uncooperative, equipment fails, or mishaps occur, that the true professional still captures the shot, while the part-timer or hobbyist wonders about what might have been. My greatest concern lies in the fear that the art of capturing excellent portraits is being lost to automatic cameras and Photoshop. Although Photoshop is wonderful and can enhance images when things don’t go as planned, it’s no substitute for the genuine skill of photography.
The skill and training required to preemptively avoid issues is what distinguishes a True Professional from the point-and-shoot photographers who claim professional status today. If you desire a Portrait or Art Piece that will be a source of pride in your home and a conversation piece among your friends, please contact me. Together, we will capture the perfect setting and create your Masterpiece, be it a Standard Portrait, Light or Heavy Oil, or Watercolor.
Camelot Photography is your comprehensive photography expert, specializing in wall portraits. Whether it’s a beach, mountain, or studio portrait, rendered in watercolor or with heavy or light oil textures, our staff will apply their professional expertise to ensure you receive the finest finished portraits. We guarantee this commitment to excellence.
Don Puckett
