He photographed my senior pictures, our engagement pictures, our wedding pictures and photographed my children. I used to stand at the mall and talk and talk and talk to him. As a teenager, I told him way more than I should have. He was easy to talk to. Those adorable dimples just pulled me in every time.
When I began my photography career, the one relationship I prayed would survive was my relationship with Bob Hawkins, I think it has 
Bob, John Lee and I all belong to our state professional photographer’s association. I’ll have to ask John if he gets this too - Usually when I meet another photographer and they learn where I’m from they give me this look of pity. “Oh, I’m sorry, you are in the same town as Bob.” No one wants to ‘compete’ against Bob. There are two things the general public doesn’t know about Bob.
1. – Bob is one of the very most ‘decorated’ photographers in Iowa and the nation. When Bob is required to wear his medals around his neck, they nearly pull him over. I’m sure chiropractic care is necessary after our meetings.
2. – Bob is a national speaker, photography judge and will help any photographer who asks. I see him surrounded by photographers asking him to judge their work all the time. He gives countless hours to photographers all over the country. We are all better photographers because of Bob.
I am proud to call Bob friend and one day I’ll be brave enough to ask him to judge my work. Bob, I love you and those dimples, well after 25 years, they still get me.
Way to go Bob!
Take a look. Oh and look at the picture, scroll to right of the man in chains. We were both at the Christmas play last year. I was enjoying it the play, Bob saw a competition print. : )
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