ONE ACCOMPLISHED GUY

It is his love of photography, and consummate skill, that are a common thread in his success. He received a camera and some lenses when he graduated from Morenci High School and that is when his interest in photography blossomed into a career. “I’ve been taking pictures ever since. A camera has taken me around the block, around the state, the country and literally around the world, opening doors all along the way. Growing up in Morenci (Michigan), I could never have imagined the people I would meet or the places I would go because I was taking pictures.” His photos have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Time, and many other magazines and newspapers.

Hart is not just about his career. Family and community are important to him as well. For most of his adult life Tecumseh has been home base for Hart. He enjoys “the welcoming people, the great neighborhoods” and the lovely downtown. It is also “home to one of my favorite golf courses— Tecumseh Golf Club.” He lives there with his wife Lisa, with whom he has two grown daughters. “Any professional success I’ve had is owed in no small part to my wife, Lisa. I’ve had three different, but similar careers: newspapers, magazines, and now higher education. Since our college days she’s been supportive of my career choices, even when I was gone for long periods of time traveling all over the world chasing car stories while our daughters were relatively young.” When

By Gayle Hazelbaker

asked with whom he would dine, if he could pick anyone living or dead, he listed some of the founding fathers, like Jefferson and Hamilton. He mentioned Amelia Earhart as well as sport legends like Muhammad Ali and Harry Vardon. But when it came down to it, he said, “If I really had just one choice, I’d want to have one more dinner with my dad. He died in 2008 and rarely does a day go by that I don’t think of him.”

On July 25th, at the invitation of the Tecumseh District Library, Hart will be discussing his book, Postcards From Detroit: Remembering Formula One Racing in the Motor City. If you have not seen the book, you are missing an opportunity to understand how his prowess with a camera has been integral to his success. Although, Formula One and Detroit may not seem like a fit, the race was held in the Motor City for several years. Every one of his amazing black-nwhite photographs and commentaries take the reader back to 1982 and the first grand prix as well as the races in the following years. Hart’s photos show not only the glamour of the sport, but the excitement of the crowds and action on the course. Once you see Hart’s photographs, you will not forget the images of Paul Newman, Michael Andretti, or any of the other famous faces and champions of the race. Mark your calendar now to meet this impressive, accomplished man and share your memories of Detroit and Formula One. n