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]
Shortly after coming to the Home Mission Board, Don spent six weeks photographing in the Artic Circle, Alaska 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]
[Photo by: Ken Touchton]

Obituary on Don

Florida Witness

Baptist Press

Baptist News Global

Word & Way

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”

Lucy & Don July 6, 2005
Don 2009
Don April 2009

Don & Lucy Rutledge April 2009