Feature articles focusing on TGO resident photographers - by Jim Brubaker Sharon and I got together so that I could get some of her thoughts about photography for this article. I was going to ask if she read my articles. Then I was going to tell her that I write the articles for three reasons: 1. Help TGO’ers know a little about their neighbors that they see out-and-about with camera in hand. 2. To encourage all TGO’ers to consider joining the sport of photography, and 3. To give folks like Sharon the opportunity to brag about their own photography.
Meet Sharon Maloney
I have seen Sharon’s photos on Facebook so I knew she was often out-and-about with camera in hand and I knew that her photos were something to brag about. I also knew from the captions she put on her photos that she brings a sense of humor and unquietness to the sport of photography. Her photos tell a story and her captions make sure we get the story - generally a funny or cute story. I was really looking forward to starting a conversation with her. I wanted a little of her joy and excitement about photography to rub off on all of us. But, Sharon’s humility caught me off guard. She started the conversation before I had a chance to say much more than “Hello, my name is Jim Brubaker.” She said, “I’m not anything like the other photographers you interviewed. I am new at it. My photos are not that good.” My response was, “I think you’re wrong.” (Then I thought, telling her that she was wrong was a terrible thing to say - especially when I hardly knew her). So, I said, “That was not nice of me to say... that you are wrong. I should have said you are right. Your photos are terrible. Yipes.” We laughed and after that funny introduction, Sharon and I had a great hour talking about photography. Sharon has so much to say about the hobby/sport of photography - and hopefully it will inspire some of you to pick up a camera and enrich your days. It has changed her life and she loves it. Sharon is the daughter of Jim and Barbara Burngener. Jim and Barbara moved to TGO in 2004. Gloria and I met them that year and they even visited us at our ranch in Texas and parked their motor home in our
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front pasture for the night. We enjoyed both of them so much. Jim passed away in September and Sharon moved in to be with her Mom. In that short time since September, Sharon, loving anything to do with the outdoors, found TGO to be a wonderful, friendly place to live. She has joined many activities and she takes her camera to all of them. The stories embedded in her photos are her way of telling her Mom and family all over the United States about her day. It is her way of participating in conversation over the family dinner table while being states apart.
Sharon’s photo include a wide variety of animals and scenery.
