Remembering photographer Tom Carter

MILTON — Professional photographer Tom Carter lived a life filled with a passion for photography that brought him national recognition and acclaim. He died Dec. 28, 2017 at age 74.

Tom attended Jay High School and was given his first camera while he was on the Jay High School newspaper. Later he was a photographer for Pensacola Junior College (now Pensacola State College) and he served as a photo journalist for the Santa Rosa Press Gazette. He also worked as a photo journalist for the University of West Florida.

Tom was a lifetime member of Professional Photographers of America and the Florida Professional Photographers. He also held the Florida Degree of Photographic Excellence, the Photographers Education Degree, and the Florida Service Award.

His photographs won many state and national awards, and many were destined to hang in the homes in this community and beyond.

But perhaps one of the most satisfying moves in his career was the establishment of his studio in Milton, where he eventually retired.

According to his wife, Gloria, Tom's devotion to photography was perhaps the most powerful of his many gifts.

"Tom loved traveling and hiking and used them both beautifully in his world of taking pictures," she said.

His work made him one of the most accomplished photographers of his time, his wife said.

"Fame was never his goal, but the results of his endearment and dedication to his work speak for themselves," she said.

She said he loved doing portraits and photographing weddings, and enjoyed outdoor opportunities just as well. A lot of his photographs and other endeavors were done on the beach at sunrise and at sunset. What he considered as one of his most unusual portrait sessions was for the bride of a Blue Angels pilot taken with the jet. He said it was his most expensive prop.

One of his favorite photographic sets was the Grand Canyon.

"He hiked to the bottom five times and once from the south rim to the north rim, always carrying a camera," his wife said.

Loved ones will remember Tom as a quiet, soft-spoken gentleman who was always willing to help his friend and neighbor.

In addition to photography, he was noted for his spiritual values and care devoted to his family.

He leaves Gloria, his wife of 53 years; his two daughters and sons-in-laws, Heidi and Andy DeGjire; Keena and Travis Oran; and six grandchildren.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Remembering photographer Tom Carter