Basil Receives His Photographic Craftsman Degree at Age 80 and is Going Strong!
Basil Becknyo was honored with the presentation of the Photographic Craftsman degree at a recent Imaging USA (PPA) convention held in Austin, Texas.
Basil and his wife, Margaret were thrilled. He’s had more than enough
merits to earn his Craftsman degree for years, but at least 16 merits
were lost when PPA converted to a new computer system. Basil is very
well known and loved by many photographers. In 55 years, Basil has
missed only two PPA conventions.
Basil also
attends and participates in many other conventions and training
programs, such as SPA in Florida and many local and regional
conventions. Basil never wants to stop learning and always wants to
improve and become a better photographer. His whole life has been
devoted to photography.
Photography
enabled Basil to raise five children, and he now has five
grandchildren. He owns several buildings in Flint, had a lake house in
northern Michigan and two condos in Florida. At one time there were
seven or more studios in town, but now his downtown studio Van Dyke
Photography is the last one standing.
Basil
is in the process of moving to his new studio near his home, but a knee
replacement operation in December has temporarily slowed him down. He
says his new knee will bring him back to normal again shortly.
The Scene Machinehas
been a fundamental part of his studio for more than 20 years. He
started using the Scene Machine back when it was very primitive
compared with today, but he was able to achieve great results. Basil
has created thousands of his own background images.
When
asked, “How does an 80 year old Caucasian man operate a thriving
business in Flint, Michigan photographing teenagers, most of whom are
African American?” His response is simple. “My customers like me. They
like how I treat them. I make them feel good, I have even helped the
kids get scholarships. And they really like the work I produce for them
with my Scene Machine Virtual Backgrounds system.”
Basil
reports that better than 80% of his work is done with the Scene Machine
in order to generate the variety that is so popular with his clients.
When asked about what’s in his future, Basil says with a laugh, “I love
humor, I love people, I love making them laugh, and I love making
photographs of them that they love. I had fun coming into this world
and I intend to have fun going out!”