A Simple Habit Turned History
My 20-Year Journey Photographing Westerville, One Day at a Time
When I made this photograph of a lone worker crossing the Dempsey Road bridge being rebuilt on November 15, 2004, I had no idea it would be the first step on a path that would span more than two decades. Back then, I had just retired from a long career in photojournalism, and I was searching for a way to stay engaged with my craft and my community. I didn’t have a grand plan. I just knew I needed to keep making pictures.
I decided to set myself a simple challenge: take and publish one photograph every single day. At first, it was about discipline and curiosity. An exercise to sharpen my eye and keep my creativity alive. But as the days turned into months and the months into years, something remarkable began to happen.
These daily images, each capturing an ordinary moment—a quiet street, a construction site, a local festival, a snowstorm—became a record of life in Westerville. I realized I was documenting not just my own journey after retirement but also the evolving story of an entire community.
Over time, my project grew into an extensive visual archive chronicling the rhythms of our town. New schools rising, familiar buildings disappearing, neighbors coming together, and the landscape changing with the seasons. What started as a personal endeavor gradually took on a broader significance.
Today, this collection has become a living history. I’m honored that the Westerville History Museum will preserve it so future generations can see how our community looked and felt in these decades. I never imagined my simple daily ritual would turn into a contribution to our shared memory.
Sometimes, the most meaningful projects begin without fanfare—just a camera, a little curiosity, and a promise to show up every day.
Thank you for blessing us with your work!