Ave Bonar

Ave Bonar had more photographs chosen for the Book of Days than any other photographer, eight in all, in part because she was involved with the project from the beginning. Her achievement is all the more remarkable because she was not eligible one year (1979) because she was one of the three editors who picked the photographs.

1977 BOOK OF DAYS
4th NOTE PAGE
TITLE: Otavao, Ecuador, 1975

Ave's photograph of the first Book of Days being collated and bound is on the Home page.

Ave doesn't have a website, but the Center for American History website has some notes on her work.

1978 BOOK OF DAYS
COPYRIGHT PAGE
TITLE: none

1980 BOOK OF DAYS
COPYRIGHT PAGE
TITLE: Coyote

1981 BOOK OF DAYS
JANUARY 1 PAGE
TITLE: none

1983 BOOK OF DAYS
JANUARY 17 PAGE
TITLE: Venice Beach

1989 BOOK OF DAYS
JULY 3 PAGE
TITLE: Judge Reynaldo Garza

Judge Reynaldo Garza of Brownsville was the first Mexican American to be appointed to a federal judgeship in U.S. history. He was named by President Kennedy. I made this photograph in 1984 when I was photographing in the Lower Rio Grande Vally for Contemporary Texas: A Photographic Portrait. The work in this book was commissioned by the Texas Historical Foundation and published by Texas Monthly Press in celebration of Texas' sesquicentennial. I called Judge Garza's office and to my surprise was given an appointment right away. Being aware that he was a busy man with nothing to gain by giving me his time, I worked quickly. I probably spent no more than ten minutes in his office and shot less than half a roll of film. I made some conventional portraits, but this photograph is much more representative of my own personal vision.

1990 BOOK OF DAYS
MAY 21 PAGE
TITLE: none

I have been photographing my young friend since we met twelve years ago. In fact, a photograph I made of her in the back of an old school bus was included in the 1980 Book of Days. I made this portrait on her 13th birthday. As I began shooting, all hell seemed to break loose; so after 1 shot this first frame, I set about to restore order. Naturally, this single chaotic picture is my favorite of the series.

I have worked in Austin as a freelance photographer since 1976. I consider photography to be both a vocation and an avocation. I don't really eat, sleep, and breathe photography, but I'll say it is well integrated into my life. Since my first job as a newspaper photographer in 1972. I have enjoyed the world of publishing. Since my involvement with the first Book of Days in 1977, 1 have been interested in small, personal publishing ventures such as handmade books, postcards, and teaching tools. These endeavers provide exposure and context for my more personal work.

1991 BOOK OF DAYS
JANUARY 15 PAGE
TITLE: Wedding Party, 1989

I typically photograph one wedding each year. This one was an atypical three-day affair where people never tired of being together and having fun. If I thought anything about the woman walking in front of me as I snapped the shutter, I probably thought "Darn!" Fortunately, it turned out to be another one of those happy accidents.