
Athens, Georgia
A few years ago, I got a call from a South Georgia photographer, wanted to talk to me about some planning. He had a large collection of photo books, was looking for a place to put them. Not now, but down the road.
We hit it off pretty quick. He came through Athens a few months later, we were more akin than we realized.
A few weeks ago, he said he was moving, could we do the donation sooner? After some fits and starts, he came up with a truck loaded down with about 90 crates of material – a tremendous gift, resources for the kids.
He started this collection when he was in college, sourcing photo books his school’s library didn’t have.
Postnote: A few weeks later, as I was returning from Paris, I got a voicemail from his dad. Shortly after dropping this material off, he took his own life. Years of treatment for depression, his dad said. I think they were both at peace, at last. I didn’t know Tim well, but I’ll miss our intermittent emails and calls. The donation was part of the plan, the move mentioned a more permanent one. If you’re struggling, or know someone who is, please seek help.