A photographer's work is never done.
Random sights such as children at play, weather rarities, and even a Daily Star reporter are constant fodder for photographer Gregory Cranwell, whose work has recently graced the walls of Javalina's Coffee and Friends at 9136 E. Valencia Road in Vail.
Cranwell, 36, moved to Tucson from New Jersey in 1995 and is a retired Marine Corps veteran due to combat-related disability. He is pursuing a degree in geologic engineering from the University of Arizona and says he enjoys photography simply for the joy of sharing his experiences with other people.
"If I can show the joy in humanity through children, a family reunion . . . then people really feel it. I think that's more important than taking a picture of the moon," said Cranwell.
He has been a regular at Javalina's since it opened in December of 2003 and visits the coffee shop almost daily, usually with camera in tow.
He often does work in the coffee shop for free.
"I'll approach someone and say, 'Your kids are so beautiful, can I take a picture?' and people think I'm crazy," said Cranwell.
But he sends the prints to the people he's photographed simply because he appreciates that they trusted him to take their pictures. He says taking photos for people and giving them away is "better than an advertisement in the Yellow Pages."
His favorite subject is people in their natural environment — for example, hanging out with their friends or reading the newspaper.
But for now you won't see any people photos at Javalina's. Out of respect for his subjects, Cranwell agrees not to put their photos on the wall unless it's something they want.
Cranwell got interested in photography in high school after reading books about famous photographers.
As a teenager he had his own darkroom, but he noted, "I didn't really know what I was doing. It was a learning process. I was taking 20 or 30 pictures, and maybe one would work out."
Cranwell only recently regained his interest in photography and said he is constantly learning. "I have very primitive techniques."
"I'm not going out trying to find a photograph. I'm just sitting around and a moment happens and I take the photo," he said.
While he says he is not worried about money, Cranwell is interested in doing freelance work and selling his photos to make some money to get better equipment.
The photos on display at Javalina's are for sale and cost $35, $50 or $85, depending on the size of the print.
Cranwell is the third local photographer to be featured at Javalina's, and regular customers quickly took notice of the new addition to the coffee shop.
"Feedback has been really positive," said Bonnie Vining, Javalina's president and owner. She said customers appreciate the diversity of Cranwell's work.
Current photos on display range from the Tucson skyline at twilight to two horses nuzzling to black-and-white photos of flowers.Vining expects to display Cranwell's photographs for about six months.
This is the first time Cranwell's work has been shown, and he's excited that people are getting to see it.
When asked to choose his favorite piece, he said his photos are like his children and he couldn't pick just one.
Javalina's customer Susan Wagner was drawn to "Tucson at Twilight," a colorful photo of a Tucson sunset. She described the photo as "where the darkness meets day."
"It's a lot of nostalgia. It's the kind of thing I see when I'm just sitting in my hot tub," said Wagner.
As for his future plans, Cranwell says they are up in the air. He wants to get his degree and maybe get into consulting, but photography is definitely a part of the equation.
"If there's any opportunity in that field, I'm going to take it," said Cranwell. "If people want me to take pictures, it's kind of an honor, so I'll take it."
Daily Star article May 1, 2008 on his astrophotography work being shown at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum:
https://tucson.com/news/local/east/his-pics-are-out-of-this-world/article_093b4aca-c20d-5e2b-b535-af8b4bfd4b75.html