Tim Hanger, photographer

By Tim Hanger (Photo by Tim Hanger)

Chances are that if you have attended an Osher function within the past couple of years, you have been caught in the lens of my camera. I am Tim Hanger, Osher's volunteer photographer. I became a member of Osher roughly four years ago when I retired from a 35+ year management career with SunTrust Banks, Inc. (aka, Crestar, United Virginia Bank). However, my interest in photography goes back much further than this retirement. My position at SunTrust afforded me the opportunity for frequent travel and I always tried to capture the flavor of each local community. My real interest continues to be in still-life photography and for awhile I participated in Arts In The Park and various other local venues in order to showcase my work. However, I found that my enjoyment was in taking pictures much more than preparing for the various art events.

Upon retirement, I joined the Weinstein Gym at UR and the Osher organization. In an effort of full disclosure, I admit that I am an avid VCU Ram Fan and alumnus, but that UR is now my second home. While attending one of my early Osher classes, I met Marshall Ervine, then the leader of the hiking group. Marshall quickly sold me on the value of participating in one of the upcoming hikes. I enjoyed the hike so much that I became a regular and began taking pictures during each hike and providing electronic files to current and potential future hikers. As a result of these "hike pictures,”  Jane asked if  I would be willing to consider taking pictures of the various Osher events and even individual Osher classes. I also supply most of the photography you see in the Insider newsletter.  The rest is history. I have provided hundreds of electronic photo files and hope they have reflected one of the true benefits of being an active member of the Osher organization.

Now, I have also been on the other end of the lens. My daughter-in-law is a freelance producer and encouraged me to become a senior model for print and video production. She helped me register with a local agency, and I have been involved in numerous photo shoots for both print media  and video production. I like to refer to myself as the "old geezer" in the background. It has been a real learning experience  and most interesting to see how all of that activity comes together into a finished product.

I realized that by retiring early I may have an opportunity to try different things and that has been my goal. I like to tease my wife, Deborah, of 41+ years, that I was having so much fun in retirement she too decided to retire, just one year later. We have two sons. One lives here in Richmond, and one resides in San Antonio, Texas. When I am not "hanging out" with my two grandchildren, I am traveling, hiking (I also serve on the scout committee for the hikers group), taking a class, working out at the gym, or doing a commercial; you might also find me walking around campus taking pictures of obscure things for the new "Where's Tim" newsletter feature. Oh yes, and if you vote in Goochland county, you will see me on election day working as an official at the Blair Road precinct. In case you missed it, the message here is to be engaged and stay busy.

“Life isn't a dress rehearsal.”