Robert Darius Adams, was one of the early photographers of Southern Utah and Nevada. For five decades, he took pictures of individuals, families, street scenes, parades, celebrations, and school children. His photographs of Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Cedar Breaks became some of the first postcards sent from these national parks. Many of his images are available for viewing at the SUU website here. Photography is more than just clicking a button. In RD's time being a photographer meant making your own negatives in the dark with a bottle of light sensitive emulsion. Loading it into your camera, many of it's components were custom made by him. Exposing it for the proper amount of time, there were no built in light meters or automatic settings. Then the development and printing process began. The photographer controlled every aspect of his own photography. Not from capture to drop off at the lab, from preparation to print and archiving. We at Cory Adams Photography work under a similar premise. We make sure to prepare well ahead, making for pleasant and smooth picture days. We do all our own processing right here at our lab. We make sure the highest quality is maintained throughout the entire process from preparation to capture to printing to delivery. Below are some more images of R.D. and his old studio.
Rex Adams, continued the legacy of his father. After serving in WW2 as a radiology technician he picked up the camera and went to work. He traveled to many towns, sometimes going door to door to find the families who needed a portrait made for their walls. He worked in the industry for many years. He has seen many changes in the world of photography. He saw the change from glass to plastic negatives, from sheet film to rolls, from hot lights, to flash tubes, to electronic flash, black and white to color, and even the digital revolution. He's enjoying retirement, has a great sense of humor, and has made friends with everyone he has met. Known as the original Chickenman for using a plush chicken toy to bring the smiles out of almost any child. Expression is something Rex would always talk about. "Equipment and lighting are important, you can retouch someone old to make them young, but if you haven't got the expression, you haven't got anything."
This is the old studio in Richfield, UT 1916. It's amazing the way photographers have always had to be part artist, part inventor, businessman, and everything else. Carpenter, Welder etc. You have to be innovative and see beyond the manufacturer's ideas about the equipment they sell. You have to put your own stamp on it and make something uniquely your own. Looking at the inventions and equipment of these pioneers in the industry can astound someone from the computer age. They had to bend the light or shape it at capture. Everything was mechanical and manual. A real hands on experience. Some of this has returned with digital capture, as odd as that sounds. Photographers worked their own negatives and printing back then. With film, most sent the unexposed film out to come back as prints. Now with digital, we are again working on our own prints, getting back into the darkroom so to speak. Taking control of the entire creative and scientific processes to release our vision into print and digital formats.
Cory Adams has continued the legacy of his father and grandfather. Cory grew up behind the camera and in the darkroom. People sometimes joke he's got developer running through his veins. Not many can truly say they have a lifetime of experience in a given field, Cory truly does. Also specializing in portraiture Cory continues to capture the smiles and personalities of those he photographs. Cory remembers what it takes to make a great portrait. It's not all about cameras and gear, the elements that engage us in an image, the elements that keep us interested are timeless. Emotion and personality are what we should see in a portrait. You should be able to see the person in the image, not just a printed page, a real person. That's what makes the difference in an image of a person.
Joseph Cory Adams, like his father before him, has a lifetime of experience with photography. Learning the technical aspects of cameras and image making at a very early age. Tagging along as an assistant, changing film and helping with props. Joseph is a great photographer. He realizes the importance of teaching the next generation the things that make lasting images. It's not the technology, it's the smiles, it's the attention to detail that makes an image last forever.
Jon Adams, Like his brother, has been immersed in photography his whole life. He got his first manual camera when he was 8 years old. Jon has always been intrigued in new techniques and technologies. He keeps us updated about new technologies and how they can be leveraged to help up produce the highest quality portraits, keep the best prices, and return orders quickly. Still, it's important to realize that new cameras and computers don't create lasting portraits on their own. It's important to mast all the tools available. There is no replacement for a well trained eye. Jon also does web design and makes amazing fine art prints from his images. You can see his work at reflectedpixel.com. Inspired by the pioneering achievements of RD and his exploratory spirit. Jon has retraced many of the steps of his Great Grandfather to photograph many of the same places He did about a hundred years ago.
Jessica Adams, has continued in the family business as her older siblings. She has proven herself to be a very talented photographer, and digital artist. She also helps with the accounting and general operations of the lab.
