About 1956 at Donnelly College, a nun, Sister Mary Faith Schuster, unbeknownst to her and myself, launched my career. In her English Composition class, she gave us an assignment called "Observations” and taught me a different way to “see."
She encouraged me to take notes as she guided me to view light and shadows at different times of day and to see shapes, colors and texture as they complimented or evoked tension within a given scene at a given time and place.
I was encouraged to look closely at travelers on the bus, a fallen leaf, the glow of the first rays of sun raking across bridges spanning the Kaw River and the beauty of the creases gently positioned on the faces of my older neighbors on Strawberry Hill.
It was just the matter of learning to master the tools to capture what God had so beautifully created with the art of photography and “to write with light.”
The United States Navy gave me the first opportunity as I served two years aboard an aircraft carrier, The USS Kearsarge, CVA-33, as an aerial photographer.
Once discharged, I worked for other great photographers and until I formed my own photographic business, attempted to absorb the best of what each seasoned artist had to share. I took every correspondence course and class in photography that was available to me throughout the country.
Photography has allowed me to visit many countries, meet many people and experience life in a way that I could not have in any other way. I have been blessed.
My greatest comfort is that I think that I have made some small difference in the lives of Croatian orphans via the vehicle of photography, showing the needs and presenting it to the good people of America.
Through their generosity, they have and are providing a safe shelter for the children at St. Theresa’s and St. Joseph’s orphanages. Please visit: sttheresasorphanage.org.
Career Highlights / Photo Schools
- 1955: Navy Schools of Photography:
Oakland and Miramar, California - 1956: Pensacola, Florida
- 1957-1958: USS Kearsarge, CVA-33 (Aircraft Carrier in Pacific)
- 1958-1963: Randazzo and Morrison Photography
- 1964-1981: Contemporary Illustrators/Custom Color Corporation
- 1984: Received “Master of Photography” degree from the Professional Photographers of America
- 1981-2009: Don Wolf Photography, Wolf Photography, New Vision Photography
Memorable assignments/subjects:
- Admiral Fitzhugh Lee (direct descendent of Lighthouse Harry Lee & Confederate General Robert E. Lee)
- Harry Truman’s Birthday Party
- Tony Bennett
- Steve Allen
- Ginger Rogers
- Senator Darby
- Governor Clinton
- Mrs. Anna Zagar at prayer
- Harry the Huckster
- Potsy and “Big Al” of Happy Days
- Gucci Catalog
- Mayor Jack Reardon
- Archbishop Joseph Naumann
- Croatian War
- Orphans and people of Croatia