By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
It’s been said a photograph is worth 1,000 words, but there is no telling how many words have been represented by the lifelong photography passion of Stan Reimer, Pratt.
Reimer, who turned 84 this year, has a collection of his work on display at the Pratt County Historical Museum at 208 S. Ninnescah, Pratt, through the month of March. The 20-or-so professionally framed photographs on display represent more than 50 years of Reimer’s life work, capturing moments that will live on forever.
“I started very young. I always wanted to be a photographer,” Reimer said. “I earned a degree at Bethel College and worked as a band director at first, but I was always more interested in taking pictures. When I made the choice to be a professional photographer, I pursued educating myself in every way that I could about photography. I joined professional photography organizations, I went to state conventions and rubbed shoulders with the best, always learning. We helped each other back then.”
Reimer said he started learned about photography when he was in 6th grade. An amateur photographer himself, his father sparked that interest but told his son that he had to earn enough money to buy his own camera. Reimer did just that by growing and raising cucumbers to sell. He gave some of the money he made to a church mission project, then used what was left to by a 35 mm Bosley B2. He still has that manual camera, keeping it for memory’s sake.
Reimer said he made his living early on by taking pictures for weddings, family portraits, and graduations.
“I probably photographed over 10,000 high school students,” he said. “At one time I was so busy I had 10 employees to help with the scheduling, framing, extra duties.”
Professionally, Reimer served as the President of the Kansas Heart of America Photography Club, was on the American Council of Professional Photographers, and took part in many educational workshops and competitions.
“Photography was my life work,” he said. “It’s all I ever wanted to do, to be the best photographer possible.”
Reimer’s work now on display at the museum showcases that life ambition. A picture called Abiquiu Colors strikingly captures the amazing natural colors on the mineral cliffs near the hometown of Georgia O’Keefe in New Mexico.
“We went in there at noon and there was a beautiful blue sky, but not the colors I had hoped to see on the cliffs,” Reimer said. “We went back just before sunset in the evening and it was magical. The setting sun just lit the mountains on fire.”
Even while being overwhelmed by the beautiful light show and colors, Reimer was careful to set up his landscape portrait with a dominant subject, subordinate subjects and a C-curve that the eye naturally follows when looking at the masterpiece.
“That one is one of my favorites,” he said. “It was taken about 15 years ago, but just framed this past year. I printed it on canvas, not paper, that gives it a textured look.”
Sixty-nine people came to see Reimer’s photography exhibit at a grand opening open house earlier this month at the historical museum in Pratt. While the exhibit remains on display, he is occasionally available throughout to offer insights into favorites on display. Deer on the Tracks, Loren Minnis, White Leaf in Lemon Park, Wheatfield Harvest, Great Vibrations, and Rain on an Oil Spill, are just a few of the enchanting images available for public perusal.
Reimer said several photographs now on display have been chosen for Kansas Hall of Fame Photography Collection, others have had as many as 275 prints made and sold, some are just examples of his artistic eye as a child. All hold memories for Reimer that will last forever, and are worth 1,000 words or more, each.
