"Don's Camera"

This week's portrait features one of my good friends and Texas photography legend, Don Dickson - and his childhood camera.

Here is Don's story:

When I was 12 years old and in the 6th grade, my grandmother took a trip to Guam.  She brought me home a Yashica Mat124G camera. I fell in love with that camera, but there was no way I could realize how much that gift would impact my life.  

By 7th grade I had my own darkroom and enjoyed processing my own film and prints.  By 11th grade I was selling images to my Boy Scout troop and making my first money from my photography.  I photographed my first church directory while I was still in high school.

This camera led me to have a very successful storefront studio business for 42 years. It also led me to a lifetime of service to PPA including serving 10 years on the Board of Directors and becoming President of PPA.   It led me to over 33 years with Texas School of Professional Photography where I have been so blessed to be the director and grow the school to the 2nd largest event under the PPA Community network umbrella.

This camera has defined my entire professional life.  I have it proudly displayed in my home to remind me of where it all started.

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