THE WRITERS HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE SINCE MAY 2ND. WELL, NEW TONIGHT, A CENTRAL IOWA PHOTOGRAPHER IS RETIRING AFTER 67 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS. HE’S WELL KNOWN FOR DOCUMENTING LOCAL AND PERSONAL HISTORY, CAPTURING PHOTOGRAPHS OF DOZENS OF STATE FAIR QUEENS AND MOMENTS FROM THE STATE SENATE FLOOR. BUT AS KCCI PEPPER PURPURA REPORTS, HIS CLIENTS SAY THE THING THAT SETS HIM APART THE MOST IS THE RELATIONSHIPS HE’S BUILT AT DOCUMENTING DECADES. CHARLIE STOVER’S PHOTOGRAPHS HAVE GRACED MUSEUMS AND FAMILY HOMES. HE HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE US A FOOTPRINT, A HARD COPY FOOTPRINT OF OF LIFE, OF WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE FOR THE LAST 85 YEARS IN IOWA. BUT THE SECRET TO HIS SUCCESS IS NOT THE PRODUCT. IT’S THE PROCESS. IT’S THIS WILL ONLY COME UP TO ME. THIS YOU PHOTOGRAPHED MY WEDDING 40 YEARS AGO AND THAT WON’T COME ON. SHE SAYS, WELL, I GOT YOU BEAT. WELL, I HAVE DEAD 42. ANOTHER ONE, CALOMA. SHE SAYS, WELL, HE DID MINE 50 YEARS AGO. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS TO BUILD THE BUSINESS. I CALL IT VISITING. IT’S SILLY. NOW STOVER IS SCALING DOWN. I’M 85 YEARS OLD NOW. MY WIFE IS. YOU’VE DONE ENOUGH. IF LEAVING A LEGACY OF CONNECTIONS FOR EACH PICTURE HE’S TAKEN. THANK YOU, CHARLIE. AND ALTOONA AND PEPPER PURPURA, KCCI EIGHT NEWS IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. AND STOVER’S FINAL SHOOT THIS EVENING WAS FOR HIS AL

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‘I still enjoy doing it, that’s the problem’: Renowned Iowa photographer retiring after 67 years

A renowned central Iowa photographer, known for shooting dozens of Iowa State Fair queens and moments from the state senate, is retiring after 67 years. Charlie Stover, 85, began his career as a teen at Lincoln High in Des Moines, which lead him to start his business. He would go on to start photographing the school’s students, and by 2007, he was inducted into the school’s hall of fame. “He has done a tremendous amount to be able to give us a footprint, a hard copy footprint of life, of what life was like for the past 85 years in Iowa,” Stover’s daughter Hollee Stover Nelson said.Stover became known for his panoramic pictures and group shots, some now hanging in the Iowa State Fairgrounds museum, but the reason he was able to maintain business was his motto; “visiting makes you money.”Stover says he utilized his personable nature to build relationships in the community that lasted. The reason clients chose him was because he “took the time to visit.” Even if he didn’t remember everyone he met, they remembered him because of the time he took to get to know each person.”He has been a part of many many memories for a lot of different families whether it be photographing their kids’ pictures, their senior pictures, their weddings,” Nelson said. In retirement, Stover plans to continue working, but less frequently. Nelson said his passion for his craft won’t allow him to stop working.”I’m 85 years old now, my wife says ‘you’ve done enough,’ but I still enjoy doing it, that’s the problem,” Stover said. Stover’s final shoot before retirement was Saturday at Lincoln High’s Class of ’73 50-year reunion.

NORWALK, Iowa —

A renowned central Iowa photographer, known for shooting dozens of Iowa State Fair queens and moments from the state senate, is retiring after 67 years.

Charlie Stover, 85, began his career as a teen at Lincoln High in Des Moines, which lead him to start his business. He would go on to start photographing the school’s students, and by 2007, he was inducted into the school’s hall of fame.

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“He has done a tremendous amount to be able to give us a footprint, a hard copy footprint of life, of what life was like for the past 85 years in Iowa,” Stover’s daughter Hollee Stover Nelson said.

Stover became known for his panoramic pictures and group shots, some now hanging in the Iowa State Fairgrounds museum, but the reason he was able to maintain business was his motto; “visiting makes you money.”

Stover says he utilized his personable nature to build relationships in the community that lasted. The reason clients chose him was because he “took the time to visit.” Even if he didn’t remember everyone he met, they remembered him because of the time he took to get to know each person.

“He has been a part of many many memories for a lot of different families whether it be photographing their kids’ pictures, their senior pictures, their weddings,” Nelson said.

In retirement, Stover plans to continue working, but less frequently. Nelson said his passion for his craft won’t allow him to stop working.

“I’m 85 years old now, my wife says ‘you’ve done enough,’ but I still enjoy doing it, that’s the problem,” Stover said.

Stover’s final shoot before retirement was Saturday at Lincoln High’s Class of ’73 50-year reunion.