The "Agricultural Photographer Extraordinaire" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Lining up photographers who are willing to come in and visit with my photography students and help them understand what it is like to be a professional photographer.  For years I have taught photography at Manheim Township High School in Lancaster, PA.  One of the units in the course is the examination of the job opportunities that are available in the field of photograph.  Everything from portraiture to underwater to forensic photography are discussed, sometimes with written assignments to share with the class.  But the favorite part of the unit, for both the students as well as me, is the visits from a professional photographer, either to the school or a visit to a photographer's studio.  Over the years I gained quite a list of photographers who were willing to share their experiences with my classes.  Photojournalists, portraiture photographers, underwater photographers, and even doctors who specialized in x-ray imaging talked about their professions with my senior classes.  

Mr. Grant Heilman, agricultural photographer.

One of my favorite sessions was with the photo- graphers of the Grant Heilman Studio from nearby Lititz, PA.  Grant Heilman was born in Tarentum, PA in 1919.  After a tour of duty in the Army and working as a Counter Intelligence Officer throughout Europe, he became a professional photographer and magazine writer who specialized in agricultural photography.  And, with Lancaster being one of the great farmlands of the country, he became a legend in his chosen profession.    

Lancaster County farmland.

When he began marketing his imagery in 1948 he established a customer base worldwide.  At times he was asked to act as a judge for the National Scholastic Art, Writing and Photography contest.  Years when I knew he would be the photography judge, I would stress agricultural assignments for my classes with hopes that they might win special awards and even photographic scholarships.  

Wildlife photography.

Well, my story now takes a turn to  present day with the announce- ment of the death of Grant Heilman.  Grant had married in 1946 to Marjorie Mapel, a sculptor and printmaker.  After her death in 1961 he married a classmate from Swarthmore, Barbara Whipple.  Barbara also was a printmaker and in 1976 the couple moved to Buena Vista, Colorado and lived there until her death in 1989.  

Farm animal photography.

Five years later he married Conrad Nelson who was ..... a print- maker as well as a photo- grapher, neighbor and longtime friend from Penn- sylvania.  Grant Heilman Photography, Inc. is still located in Lancaster County and is considered one of the world's most noted sources of agricultural photography.  

Grant Heilman Photography, Inc. in Lititz, PA

Their library holds more that a half-million images with specialized subject matter that offers agriculture, natural science, horticulture and wildlife.  In the past 50 years the library has grown to a  collection of more than 150 professional photographers.  I am sorry for Mr. Heilman's death, but I am honored to say that he at one time was able to talk with my class about the importance of agriculture and the photography and science of both.  I often wonder if maybe just one of my students entered that specialized area of photography after listening to him speak of his experiences.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.