Art and photography take center
stage in Johnston County this weekend at the Johnston County Art and Photography Exhibition.
For one Johnston County
photographer, he’s captured last memories for more than 40 years.
“You tell by the smile, or the angle of the head, or the cute stuff a child will do,” Tart said. “A lot of little intricate things that can make a picture look better.”
Ken Tart snaps photos, but never
with a cellphone. He’s one of the old timers, still practicing traditional portrait
photography. From baby pictures, family pictures, weddings, graduations, Tart has preserved so many meaningful moments and occasions.
“There aren’t many traditional
studios like mine, like us, left anymore,” Tart said.
Generations of families have been
coming to him, posing in his studio or in the field. His work hangs on walls
across towns and beyond.
“He has photographed her for every
year for the past 23 years, as well as my son Gavin who is about to turn 18,”
said Benson resident, Tina Lee.
Social media has eroded his profession, quick and easy photos with the tap of a cell phone, and yet Ken remains busy, treating each subject and every photo with care.
“We take lots of iPhone photos,
and I love those, looking through my phone.” Lee said. “But to hang on a wall,
I want a more traditional heirloom.”
He has no plans to retire–because
there’s always another great photo waiting for him in his viewfinder.
Tart said there is an art to
working with people.
“I run into people all the time,
and of course now we’re photographing second, third generation families and
kids,” Tart said.
The exhibition will take place Friday through Sunday in the Tart Building at Johnston Community College.
