Durango Diaries, the biweekly storyteller series hosted by
The event will be held at 6 p.m. at Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave.
Speakers will include:
Allison Ragsdale, co-owner of Allison Ragsdale Photography. Ragsdale never wanted to do anything besides be a photographer. She took a black-and-white darkroom photography class in high school and never looked back. Convinced she would be the next Ansel Adams, she discovered while earning her bachelor’s degree in photography at the Art Institute of Colorado that her true passion was in creating portraits for people. She began work as a portrait photographer right out of college. She and her husband, Matt, started Allison Ragsdale Photography in 2007. They won Best Photographer in Durango the past six years in a row and won Young Professionals of the Year in 2014 (and were also nominated for Small Business of the Year). They specialize in senior portraits, winning a spot in the Hot 100 senior photographers worldwide, three times in a row.
Jerry McBride, photography editor at the Herald. McBride is a veteran photographer and editor with 26 years of daily newspaper experience. Born on the plains of Nebraska, he discovered his love of photography during his freshman year of high school. In the mid-1990s, he joined the photography team at the Maryville Daily Times near the Smoky Mountains, where he won many awards. For the past 22 years, McBride has enjoyed working for the Ballantine family at the Herald documenting the events of the community.
When he’s not taking pictures – which is rarely – McBride spends his time with family, friends and fly fishing.
Frank Comisar, nature photographer. Comisar has always had a deep love for the majesty of the outdoors, especially the American West. He preserves the incredible beauty of the natural world through the lens of his camera, creating images that are full of elegance and life.Professionally, he initially took a different direction, earning a degree in architecture and beginning a long career in that field. Despite the professional and monetary success he experienced during this phase of his life, he began to see that something important was missing.
Looking to fill that void, Comisar began to rediscover his passion for nature photography, which became an “escape from the corporate grind.” The stunning landscape of the Four Corners quickly became a favorite source of subject matter for his photographs.
Season 4 of Durango Diaries will continue through November at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Durango Public Library. Upcoming event topics are:
Nov. 20: “Forever Young.” As our population ages, no one seems to be slowing down. Three retirees who are still pursuing active lifestyles will share their stories. Speakers will include National Senior Games swimmer Kathy Kronwall, 82; Pilates instructor Diane Legner, 80; and skiing expert Major Lefebvre, 70.
The podcast of each Durango Diaries, including past seasons, can be heard on iTunes, Spotify or the Herald’s website at durangoherald.com/durangodiaries.
To receive the Durango Diaries newsletter, email durangodiaries@durangoherald.com.
