March 29, 2024

‘Shooting’ people successful hobby for McKinstry

Photography on display at Uncle Nancy’s

“I shoot people” isn’t the typical opening line for most folks, but when it’s followed by a request to take a photo, hobby photographer Jim McKinstry usually gets a chuckle.

McKinstry credits his grandchildren for coming up with the unique line.

“My wife died about two years ago and they said, ‘Grandpa, a good hobby for you would be to shoot people,’” McKinstry said.

The longtime Newton resident will openly admit he is not a professional photographer. He has been taking photos for most of his life, but it wasn’t until working on a genealogy project for his mother he realized the importance of photographic memories.

“My family took a lot of photos. My mother did a lot genealogy, and they took so many pictures that it made my job much easier when I went to put them into books,” McKinstry said. “It brought the genealogy alive. Without the photos of people, places and things, all you have a bunch of dry material.”

McKinstry picked up a few new cameras and started work photographing wildlife in the area. He, along with his wife, would travel around the to photograph birds, bugs and any other wildlife that popped in the picture.

“I bought my cameras before my wife died because I was expanding on my hobby. It was a good way for me to take her out and about. She couldn’t walk great distances so I might photograph on a road trip and she could sit on a bench while I went out,” McKinstry said.

The hobby was also a way for McKinstry to heal following his wife’s death.

“My wife said to me — ‘don’t you dare sit with the shades pulled. You get you and you do things, you keep moving,’” McKinstry said. “That is what I did.”

One of his favorite places to shoot is Lake Red Rock with its rich supply of wildlife and curious visitors.

“Sometimes I will get up at 4 a.m. so I can be there as the sun comes up and catch everything at it is coming alive,” McKinstry said.

He’s also found that people visiting the area enjoy and appreciate being photographed.

“If I’m at Red Rock or some place like that, they appreciate it because most of them aren’t carrying a camera and if they are they can’t get a couples photo,” McKinstry said.

McKinstry posts most of his photos to his Facebook page for his subjects to enjoy and share. He knows how important it is for people to have records of memories they make and to be able to share them with friends and family.

“I photograph family constantly, as soon as they walk up to the door. You can never have too many pictures,” McKinstry said. “One of my grandchildren asked me one time, ‘Grandpa Jim, how come you take so many photos?’ I said once that moment is passed, it’s gone and when you capture that moment on film, you have it and it is a good memory to have.”

McKinstry’s wildlife photography is currently on display at Uncle Nancy’s Coffeehouse at 114 N. Second Ave. W. The art will be available for viewing through May.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com