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Albert Einstein once said, "Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value." Robert and Cindy Howard exemplify that thought in the operation of their studios. For nearly twenty years, they have lived their lives working to serve their fellow man and striving to be the best at what they do. Despite the need to overcome many obstacles, the little studio in a small town has received much recognition. From the local level, to the international arena, their tireless efforts in support of the profession of photography and the community they call home have been recognized on countless occasions.

Robert is a firm believer in the adage, "to be the best you have to compete with the best." He has placed his works in competition before his peers since 1989. Entering portfolio and individual print exhibitions at the state, regional and national levels, He has received "Blue Ribbon" honors in nearly every year of competition. His works have been recognized among the best in the world and he uses the knowledge gained through these competitions to refine and polish the "everyday" work produced for his clients.

The Professional Photographers of Pennsylvania have honored both Robert and Cindy with the organizations "Service Degree." Robert is the 1999 Past President of the PPA of PA and has served as an elected volunteer for more than fifteen years. Locally, the Howards make their studio available to mentor high school and college students and Robert teaches several classes for the Lebanon Campus of HACC. These efforts have produced several new photography studio "start-ups" in and around Lebanon County.

Community service is extremely important to the Howards. Before moving into leadership positions within his church, Robert was very active in the local Chamber of Commerce for many years. In addition to their personal time, the Howards have given a great deal of financial support to the Lebanon, Cornwall-Lebanon and Annville-Cleona school districts. They have contributed photographic services, studio materials, camera and lighting equipment and scholarships to these districts for many years. The Howards were selected as "2001 Friends of Education" by the Lebanon School District as well chosen for recognition by the Cornwall-Lebanon School District as "Falcon Advocates."

Despite the notoriety that comes from their dedication, the Howards believe that the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson best sum up their commitment. Emerson said, "The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." Robert, a dedicated "Star Wars" fan prefers to quote the great philosopher, "Yoda." When asked the secret to mastering life, Yoda responded, "Do or do not, there is no try."

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER RECEIVES
NATIONAL AWARD

Robert A. Howard, owner of Howard Studios in downtown Lebanon was honored at the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania Convention held recently in Camp Hill, PA.

Robert was honored with the Professional Photographers of America, Inc., National Award for outstanding service to professional photography. The bronze and walnut plaque was presented by Robert Decker a councilman for the PPA on behalf of the PPA of PA, Inc., a PPA Affiliated Association.

The National Award is offered by the PPA to affiliated organizations on an annual basis. First made available in 1958, the award recognizes those persons who generously contribute their time and talents to the service of their profession, their affiliated organization, and their fellow photographers. Selections of the award are determined by the recipient’s peers which adds to its distinction.

The PPA is the oldest and largest association of professional photographers in the world with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The association provides educational services and establishes standards of professional performance for its more than 14,000 members and 214 affiliated organizations worldwide.

During the awards banquet, Robert also received the 2006 PPA of PA President’s Award from Mary Jane Smith. The award recognizes Robert for nearly twenty years of volunteer service to the organization and was given in appreciation of his continued efforts in service as a mentor and advisor to the current Board of Governors and Association Officers.

In other convention events, Robert received five awards at the annual print competition and exhibition. Robert received two awards of quality for his portraits of CCHS class of 2007 students Kaitlyn Kinloch and Samantha Spangler. Additionally he received a blue ribbon and judge’s choice award for his portrait of LHS class of 2006 student Missy Hower. Also garnering a blue ribbon was his commercial entry titled “Angiograph,” an image taken for the GSH annual report. Robert’s images will now go on to compete for honors at the PPA International Print Competition to be held in June.


BEST OF SHOW

Robert A. Howard, owner of Howard Studios, 738 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, receives the FUJI Film USA Masterpiece Award from Harry Markel a TSR with FUJI. The award, which recognizes superior excellence in imaging, was presented to Howard for having the highest scoring photograph in the Illustrative division of the Middle Eastern States Exhibition of Photography. Howard’s image scored 94 out of a possible 100 points and was also recognized with a Blue Ribbon and a Judge’s Choice Award. More than two hundred photographers from six states competed for awards at the exhibition. Howard also recently competed in the PPA of PA Exhibition held at the Penn Harris Convention Center in Camp Hill. All four of Howard’s entries received awards, including three Blue Ribbons in the Portrait and Illustrative categories. One of Howard’s prints again scored a 94 out of 100 points and ended in a tie for the highest scoring print in the exhibition. This print was further honored by being selected into the Masters Court of Honor.
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Lebanon Daily News, January 19, 2001

Developing a link with schools
By John Latimer
Staff Writer

Lebanon photographers help with yearbooks
Bob & Cindy Howard's profession is all about image, but their work is full of substance.

The Howards are owners of R. Howard Photography. In business since 1992, they have worked from their studio on the second floor of the down-town mini-mall, at the intersection of Ninth and Cumberland streets, since 1994.

"I do all the work," jokes Cindy. "He just presses the button on the camera."

The Howards are the first to admit that the image created by their stylish studio is designed not only to make customers feel comfortable, but also to impress upon them that the Howards are top notch photographers.

They point out that many other professional photographers in the area work from their homes, but the Howards say they feel that the impression created by their studio is worth the operational cost it subtracts from their bottom line.

The wood-paneled walls of the waiting area are full of framed examples of Bob's work. Many of the photographs are portraits of high-school students. And that is where the focus of the Howard's image blurs into the substance of their lives.

For the past 10 years, Bob, a 1981 graduate of Lebanon High School, and Cindy, a member of Cedar Crest High School's Class of '83, have donated time and money to help meet their alma maters' photography needs. This has included taking pictures at special events, athletic competitions and stage performances. But the largest part of their commitment is helping the schools publish their yearbooks free.

The couple, who live in Cleona, also began offering the same services to the Annville-Cleona School District in 1996. "With each school the amount we provide in service is based on need," says Bob. "Lebnon needs a little extra. Their publications department is a little behind Cedar Crest's." "At the request of the yearbook advisor, we will photograph any event, sports team, club, organization or faculty member," he adds. "Whatever they need they just ask, and there is no charge for time or materials."

In acknowledgement of their commitment to the high school, the Lebanon School District recently honored the couple by naming them "Friends of Education." Howard said that if he didn't enjoy his job as much as he does, he probably wouldn't be so generous with his time. That enjoyment, and the fact that he credits his teachers with helping him make photography his career, are why he and Cindy are so committed to the schools.

The couple concedes that there are benefits to their relationship with the districts. For example, the schools do not stand in the way of the Howards' attempting to sell photos of students taken at school events to their parents. And the reason there are so many pictures of high-school students on the Howards' studio wall is that many parents remember the couple's support when arranging family photos. "It is two-fold," Bob admits. "It does benefit the business. But putting it all in perspective, last year we donated about $70,000 in services to the three districts."

During a recent week, about 10 hours of work were billable, he says, and the rest of his time was donated. And if you still think the Howards' relationship with the schools is merely to benefit their business, consider this: in addition to taking pictures, the Howards gave a complete 35 mm camera system to Lebanon High School's Lodestone (yearbook) staff and a set of specialty photographic lenses to Cedar Crest's yearbook staff. They also provide an annual scholarship to a worthy Lebanon student.

In addition, Bob Howard also contributes as a guest lecturer in the classrooms and serves as a mentor for students working on graduation projects. Their giving is not limited to schools. The Howards have also donated their services to the city by taking photographs for Lebanon's promotional brochure and a series of Lebanon Police Department trading cards.

The Howards say they like their Lebanon business location and have thrived there through good times and bad in the past eight years. "What we give back to the community keeps the studio open no matter how bad the economy is," Bob says.

(Article reproduced with permission from the Lebanon Daily News)