My Father's Photography

(Given at his outgoing presidential ceremony for GCSAA)

In addition to his love of golf, some of you may know that Jim Fitzroy also loves photography. He is a very talented photographer; capturing the beauty of sunflowers, lighthouses, skylines, golf courses, and many other outdoor works of art. Yet, one of the most special “models” for his camera is his family. Through his pictures, his love for his family is very evident. While I enjoy all of my father’s photography, there are three projects that stand out the most, besides the zillions of lighthouses.

First, recently my father organized a photo album of the Fitzroy family through the years entitled “Gram’s Pictures,” which he gave to all of his children. Some of these photos are Jim Fitzroy originals and others aren’t, but it still was a very special effort on my dad’s part. I enjoyed re-experiencing Easters, birthdays, and Christmases through these pictures. Many of them I uploaded onto Facebook, including one of my favorites, a shot of me in my superman tighty-whities, at about 6 years old. It was especially important for me to relive these childhood memories with the recent passing of Grandma Fitzroy this past June. These pictures reminded me of the special times I got to share with her and the rest of my family.



Another one of my favorite photo projects taken by my dad is one of me holding my son when was only a few weeks old. A similar picture can also be found of my brother holding his son. My dad took this picture knowing how important it is to capture through photography the love and joy a father has for his son.

A final photography project of my dad’s that I love is a series of 3 pictures of my son Gabriel at 15 months that captures his personality perfectly, happy, curious, and a little mischievous. I think it is through my father’s photography that his personality too can be seen. He has a good sense of humor, often throwing in digs to my wife about being a Yankees fan, but he also can be really sentimental and serious. He is family oriented and loves people, yet he also can appreciate the peace and solitude of nature.

Dad, your photography is very special to all of us. I love you. I am proud of you, and I wish I could be there for your special day.