Meet Walter Lamar

Walter Lamar, a member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana and a descendant of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes of Oklahoma, grew up on the Blackfeet, Wind River, Jicarilla Apache and Navajo reservations. He also lived among the Southern Pueblos and Western Tribes of Oklahoma. As he reluctantly eases into his elder status, simple research has informed him– much to his relief– that exceptional intelligence is not a requisite attribute to be a wise elder.

In the late 60s and early 70s Walter’s father was official photographer for the Navajo Nation. In late 1967, 13 year-old Walter tagged along with his Dad on a photography assignment. They set up equipment, and as Vice President Hubert Humphrey was set to step off a plane, Walter was handed a Graflex Speed Graphic 4X5 Camera, his Dad quickly showed him the shutter release and how to focus. He snapped his first photograph and it happened to be of the Vice President of the United States. Later in the darkroom, he slid exposed photo paper into the developer tray and witnessed the magic of photography.

Living in Oklahoma and in college Walter shot with his Minolta 101 and processed the film and photographs in a darkroom he shared with his father. His work was routinely recognized in a college publication. Life intervened and photography fell away. A career of law enforcement service filled the time.

In 2010 or so Walter purchased a digital Nikon and has worked in earnest since that time to learn the art of photography. His lifetime of connectivity with Native American communities means he and his camera have friendly acceptance and most often his portraits of family and friends reflect laughter and comfortable poses. As a Native American, he has easy access to a variety of tribal community events which is reflected in his photography.

Though much of his photography is of Native Americans, he is eclectic in his imaging. Macro photography, landscapes, cityscapes, architectural photography, street photography, and portraiture.

Walter loves the idea that light not only illuminates, but shapes.