Monroe News photographer Tom Hawley is retiring after 48 years

MONROE, MI — Monroe News photographer Tom Hawley is specializing in one thing new — retirement.

After 48 years working as a group photojournalist, Hawley is leaving the newspaper, armed with quite a few awards, an enormous portfolio and captured reminiscences that may final a lifetime.

Hawley’s in depth profession consists of The Monroe Evening News, Monroe County Community College and different native media retailers via the years.

He was a freshman at Central Michigan University when his profession behind the lens began in 1974. He purchased his first digital camera for $150. It was a Mamiya Sekor with a 50mm commonplace lens.

In the autumn of 1976, Hawley began to assume laborious about images as a career. He had fallen in love with the thought of telling tales with images.

In 1977, his profession started to develop. Hawley did an internship with the Morning Sun in Mount Pleasant and lined occasions just like the blizzard of 1978 and Winter Special Olympics. He joined The Monroe Evening News workers in 1979. At that point, Hawley processed images by hand.

“I can remember the noise of the newsroom and working in the darkroom with black-and-white photographs,” Hawley stated. “Film was processed in batches. I could have had three-10 rolls at a time to load onto reels in the dark, placed into containers with the developing liquids and water. Then, they would hang dry. I would cut the film into strips and make what we called proof sheets processed in the trays. Then, pick out the images to make prints of, dry and turn in.”

“They were processed downstairs and laid out for print that afternoon for the evening paper,” he stated. “If I shot something in the a.m. for spot news, I could pull it off in an hour or less in the darkroom.”

The 68 year-old went from creating black-and-white photographs in a darkroom to working digitally on a pc. His images recorded real feelings and received quite a few awards.

‘One helluva run’

As news of Hawley’s retirement spread throughout the community, comments started pouring into the newsroom.

Todd Williams sent Hawley this message: “You had one helluva run. Your pictures created so many memories for people. It’s impossible to count!”

Hawley met Williams in 1986 when he was a distance runner for Monroe High School.

“We became friends back then,” Hawley said. “I followed his career to Tennessee and he went to the Olympics. He now lives in Monroe and teaches karate. The photo story I did on Todd Williams was one of my priceless moments. I was struggling at the time personally.”

Hawley’s sports coverage for the newspaper was like a separate career. He photographed all high school sports — baseball, basketball, competitive cheer, football, soccer, softball, swimming, track, volleyball and wrestling along with ALCC boxing. 

Arts and pageants

In addition to sports, Hawley extensively covered the arts and pageants.

“When I needed to get away from my other assignments and especially away from sports, I would go to ballet classes for their productions to shoot the dancers in practice,” he said. “It was incredible to see the work ethic and the grace of ballet. I guess it was my escape.”

“For the past 15 years, our ballet company has been fortunate to work with Tom Hawley whose artistry behind the camera lens brought our performances to life in ways words never could,” Gail Choate-Pettit, River Raisin Ballet artistic director, said in an email. “Though best known throughout the city as the go-to photographer for sports and events, he generously devoted his time and talent to capturing the elegance and emotion of dance. He has a gift for looking beyond the surface, capturing the behind-the-scenes energy — from the lighthearted moments of laughter to the quiet intensity of focused dedication.”

Before wishing Hawley the best in his retirement, Dione Oerther, Miss Monroe County Scholarship Program government director, shared her gratitude for his photographic skills and protection of this system.

Oerther wrote, “He has been a stalwart supporter of the Miss Monroe County Scholarship Program during his career at The Monroe News and has always ‘gone the extra mile’ to be at the pageants, appearances and parades during the year to give us excellent coverage. No one will ever be able to replace his artful mastery of catching the perfect crowning moment when a young woman hears her name called and the crown is placed upon her head for the very first time.”

“It was Tom who was in Atlantic City in 1988 when our very own Miss America 1988 Kaye Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson heard her name called and her dream of being Miss America was realized. It was a magical, once-in-a-lifetime moment and it was Tom who captured it,” Oerther said.

Capturing special moments

In almost five decades, Hawley recorded countless compelling images for news, sports, business and human interest stories. He worked in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, limited equipment and a variety of curious, creative and quirky reporters.

He witnessed print news shift to a digital format with online publishing, yet never lost his passion for telling stories in photographs.

As Hawley compiled images for his final photo gallery, he reflected on his feelings.

“These past 12 years have been incredible for me. Just looking at the images I chose for this piece and there is so much more plus the writing that I did, I can say that I fulfilled all my expectations as a photojournalist,” he said.

Small-town community journalism has always been important to Hawley, but he realizes the impact it made on his personal life.

“I feel that I missed family time over the years,” he said. “I always feel that if I go to an event, I have to work. I had the tendency to put the paper first before family.”

He finds comfort in knowing his visual storytelling made a difference.

“I feel that I brought many wonderful photos and stories to our community. The photo stories on young people will always be my favorite pieces. Capturing special moments,” Hawley said. “I feel like I’m part of their stories. I hope the community remembers how I shared their stories with our readers. So, this is farewell, but not goodbye.”

 — Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.