My Mentor, Don Rutledge

Photographer Don Rutledge, who told the story of missions through his camera lens for several generations of Southern Baptists, died on Feb. 19, 2013. He was 82. First in the United States and eventually throughout the world, Rutledge captured quiet moments of humanity and mission ministry in hundreds of classic photographs taken for the Home (now North American) Mission Board and later the Foreign (now International) Mission Board. He called them “windows on the soul.” His images inspired millions of Southern Baptists to pray for and participate in missions. [photo by: Bill Bangham]

After coming to the Home Mission Board, Don spent six weeks photographing in the Arctic Circle, Alaska, in 1967. This photo was taken as Don visited an Eskimo house with two volunteer workers. So happy was the family to see their friends everyone ignored Don’s click-click-click. [photo by Don Rutledge]

Don Rutledge, a renowned photographer who documented mission stories through his camera lens for several generations of Southern Baptists, passed away on February 19, 2013, at the age of 82. Rutledge captured moments of humanity and mission ministry in hundreds of classic photographs that were first used by the Home (now North American) Mission Board in the United States and later by the Foreign (now International) Mission Board across the world. He referred to them as “windows on the soul”. Rutledge’s pictures were instrumental in inspiring millions of Southern Baptists to pray for and participate in missions.

Obituary on Don

Florida Witness

Baptist News Global

Audio of Don Rutledge

1975 Don Rutledge speaks to the Atlanta Press Photographers Association. On the front row listening to Don is his mentor, Eugene Smith 1974.

Forming a Style

Don Rutledge November 1976 (Part 1)

Don Rutledge November 1976 (Part 2)

Bailey King

Personal Philosophy

Interview by phone with Don for Master’s Thesis

Our Approaches

Person’s Contact Sheet Says a lot about them

Published Work

Ebony Magazine Article on Traveling Scientist Dec 1960 pages 65-70

Living Mosaics in a Biblical Play – Life Magazine November 21, 1960

Tender Loving Care – Ebony Magazine, November 1961, 48 – 54

Tennessee State’s Lady Engineer – Ebony July 1964 pg 75-83

New Day New Doctor – Ebony April 1964 pg 27-85

Christmas in July – Ebony Sept 1964 – pg 94-100

Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner’s Daughter

Articles on Don Rutledge

RUTLEDGE PHOTOGRAPHED ‘BLACK LIKE ME’

My Thesis on Don Rutledge

Book Review on “Light: The Photojournalism of Don Rutledge”

Some of my blog posts on Don

Don Rutledge, my mentor

Mr. Robot conjures up the photo style of photojournalist Don Rutledge

Stanley talks about Don Rutledge’s photos

Photo Story on Russian Pastor by Don Rutledge

Composition Tips from world-renowned photojournalist Don Rutledge

Photo Tips I learned from Don Rutledge

Russia from Don Rutledge’s Eyes

Light: The Photojournalism of Don Rutledge

Don’t Clean Up Your Background

The essence of mentorship remains timeless, but let’s refresh these insights with contemporary tips:

Why Learning from Great Photographers is Important

Don and Lucy Rutledge, 2005

Don Rutledge

Don Rutledge