Photo courtesy of Ron Burkett.
A love of photography has taken Ron Burkett from ballfields and businesses in Trussville to excitingand exotic locations all over the world.
July is peak travel season — a time when many of us are daydreaming about wide-open skies and faraway places. One Trussville photographer has turned wanderlust into a way of life, while continuing to document baptisms and senior Sundays at First Baptist Church Trussville.
If you know Ron Burkett from around town, you’ve likely seen him with a camera over his shoulder. What you may not know is that he’s traveled the globe photographing glacial cliffs, African wildlife and roaring hydroplanes.
His love for photography began in 1979, his senior year at McAdory High School. “One of my friends got a darkroom kit,” he said. “We set it up in his attic and started developing black-and-white film ourselves. We figured out pretty quickly — taking pictures was a lot more fun than developing them.”
Burkett kept the hobby going through a 30-year career with what is now AT&T. He retired in 2012 and began freelancing for local newspapers, and over the years, his reputation grew. He now produces a weekly live show, photographs at First Baptist and covers numerous events around town.
At the church, he documents baptisms, child dedications and senior recognitions. “The church offers it as a service so families can be in the moment,” he said. “I love being the one to capture that.”
That sense of purpose also travels with him. Burkett has been part of the church’s Men on Mission trip for 23 years, handling photography and video. He’s traveled to Kenya four times to document the work of Jesus Harvester’s Ministries.
When he’s not working, he’s still behind the camera — just somewhere a little wilder. He’s traveled through Europe, Australia and the American West, but Iceland holds a special place in his heart. “I’ve been three times. It’s just so pristine and primal,” he said.
Still, his favorite photo was captured right here in Alabama during a rare moment that required patience, timing and a little bit of faith. “A friend and I had this idea to photograph the Cahaba lilies at night with the Milky Way above them,” he said. “You only get a three- or four-day window each year when the lilies are blooming, there’s no moon, and the Milky Way is in the right spot. That night, we stood in the middle of the river at 2 a.m. in complete darkness. Just the river, the stars, the flowers — and it worked. It’s my favorite photo I’ve ever taken.”
They’ve tried to recreate the image every year since. No luck. “But even when it doesn’t work, the experience is worth it,” he said. “Photography takes you to places and moments you wouldn’t otherwise have.”
Burkett is drawn to adventure both in life and behind the lens. “I love photographing air shows, IndyCar races at Barber Motorsports Park, and this weekend I’m heading to Guntersville for HydroFest,” he said. “Those boats go 200 miles an hour. It’s a challenge, but I love it.”
Next up? A trip to Churchill, Manitoba, in August to photograph polar bears in the wild.
Burkett is entirely self-taught, driven by a mix of curiosity and creative instinct. “I’ve always liked making things,” he said. “I did art classes in high school, woodworking, all kinds of stuff. But photography is where it all comes together.”
Here’s his advice for those interested in trying photography: “Don’t worry about being good,” he said. “Just start. It’s fun, and it pulls you in. The more you do it, the better you get, and the more rewarding it gets. Then, before you know it, you’re standing in a river at 2 a.m. taking photos under the stars.”
