Award-winning photographer, Columbus camera store owner Herb Cawthorne dies
Herb Cawthorne, whose award-winning photography allowed him to travel the world but also help fellow Chattahoochee Valley residents preserve lifetime memories, has died.
Cawthorne died at 90 Thursday morning from natural causes in Columbus Hospice, his son Jim confirmed to the Ledger-Enquirer.
Cawthorne was a stock broker at Merrill Lynch when he turned his photography hobby into a career after winning the Alabama Associated Press Class A Best Sports Photo of 1972. He was then a freelancer with the Opelika-Auburn News and won for his iconic picture of Auburn defensive back David Langner’s interception return against LSU. Herb
“If I could win that,” Jim recalled Herb explaining, “it’s time to go pro.”
Along with Spencer Garrard, the Cawthornes established the Camera 1 photography business in 1974.
Most of their work was done for corporate clients, but Herb’s love of the outdoors took him to exotic places and produced photos that appeared in publications such as Georgia Wildlife, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Quail Unlimited, Georgia Trend, Birders World and Brown’s Guide to Georgia.
Camera 1 closed its photo lab in 2001 and started restoring old photographs for folks who wanted to ensure precious images wouldn’t be lost.
Herb retired seven years ago, and Jim bought out him and Garrard, but the senior Cawthorne’s legacy remains a guiding life lesson for his son.
“He taught me persistence,” Jim said. “Don’t give up.”
Herb embraced new technology. He digitally scanned photos to create artistic images. As a founding member of the Joseph House Gallery Cooperative, his work has been on display there in the Columbus Historic District.
He was the first recipient of the Leonard E. Foote Memorial Award for Excellence in Environmental Photography, given by then-Georgia Gov. Zell Miller.
Along with his wife, Truman, of 69 years, Herb hosted international students visiting Fort Benning, where he completed paratrooper training and became a lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In the 1960s, he was a Scoutmaster, helping his oldest son, Will, and other Boy Scouts earn their Eagle badge. The Boy Scouts of America awarded him the Silver Beaver for contributions to scouting.
Herb was a former president of East Columbus Rotary Club and a Georgia Rotary Student Program trustee.
The funeral service will be Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church of Columbus.
This story was originally published January 12, 2023 at 10:54 AM.
