About Gary
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Gary Langston is a national award-winning photojournalist and artist living in Gallup, New Mexico. Currently, Gar is earning a Master of Arts degree in Art at Arkansas State University. He has completed work toward a graduate degree in English Communication Studies with an emphasis in Photojournalism and Documentary Film Production at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Other educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas and a Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. Gary owns a private photography studio where he has been involved in both commercial and fashion photography. He has also led photographic educational tours to East and West Berlin, the Berlin Wall, the Greek Isles, Istanbul, Turkey and Israel.
Some of the highlights of Gary’s photographic career include photographing Marvin Hamlisch, the Academy Award-Winning Composer: receiving a national photography award from Ritz Camera for his Native American work: and sponsorship by Hasselblad USA, Inc. whose cameras were the first to be used on the moon. His work was also featured at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah by the Navajo Nation. One of his images, a Navajo girl in a rug dress with a black and white Paint Horse in Canyon De Chelly, Arizona has achieved iconic status.
In 1995 Gary was Canon’s national “Shoot-for –the-Sphere” photography contest grand prize winner. His black and white photograph of three Native American children playing basket ball on the Navajo Reservation near Pinon, Arizona won the $10,000 cash prize, two around-the-world Delta Airline tickets, one of Canon’s newest camera systems, publication in Sports Illustrated and a reception at Time/Life in New York. Canon also financially sponsored the remainder of his research among the Navajo Indians of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.
As of his writing, Gary’s award-winning photographs and related articles have appeared in multiple national publications including: New Mexico Magazine, New Mexico Traveler, Sports Illustrated, Cowboys and Indians, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Magazine, Western Horseman and others. They have been viewed by over 10 million people. Educational photography exhibits and slide shows have also been presented at numerous universities and high schools as well as being aired on television.
During the summer of 1996, his photos were shown at the United Nations’ sponsored “Habitat Two Conference” in Istanbul, Turkey. During the winter, (January 13th through March 20th, 2000) Gary’s work was featured in a blockbuster exhibit at the United Nations entitled “Keepers of the Wisdom/Local Cultures, Global Perspectives”.
Endorsements have been received for Gary’s ongoing Native American work from a former President of the Navajo Nation, and the Navajo Department of Tourism, Canon USA Inc. The American Paint Horse Association. The Ellis Tanner Trading Post and the International Photographic Council in New York which includes representation from major film and camera manufacturers as well as several national publications.
The essence of Gary’s work among the Navajo Indians is to: “Discover and share the positive contributions of Native Americans, celebrate cultural diversity and promote aesthetic awareness.”
Future Plans include the publication of a book, “Keepers of the Wisdom/Local Cultures, Global Perspectives”; a continuation of the Native American Awareness Tour featuring photographic exhibits and lectures at museums, casinos and universities nationwide, and a documentary film presentation for television.