US Navy Photographer's Mates
"Telling the Sailor's Story~~     1914 to 2006"~~                                                                                                                                     

 

US Navy Photography had humble beginnings, born from necessity of the Admirals and Captains on the seas to obtain reliable intelligence.  The first official US Navy Photographer was a cook, Walter Leroy Richardson.  Assigned to the Pensacola Aeronautic Station in 1914, Richardson set up the first US Navy photo lab in a storage room after being issued three 5x7 negative size cameras.


Reentering the Navy Reserve as an Ensign



The First US Navy Photographers were printers and wore the book rate on their crow.  These photographers "unofficially" added wings to their book.  The rate of US Navy Photographer was created in 1921 (with the bellows camera as the symbol).



Photographer's Mate First Class


Warrant Officer Photographic Service

 

National Association of Naval PhotographyKeep the Photographer's Mate rate alive. Remember and Honor your service to the US Navy. Join the National Association of Naval Photography  Click here  

Editors Note: This web magazine is a "living document."  If you have a picture to add to this tribute to the greatest rate that US Navy ever had, then please let me know.  Serious and funny Photographer's Mate Sea Stores are all welcomed.     Photographer's Mate Daniel Alan Bernath

 

What did the Photographer's Mates do at Pearl Harbor?  They risked their lives for their pictures, so, where did all their pictures go?
 
See the greatest pictures of the "new" Navy Photographers, post your favorite pictures of Navy Photography and discuss with your old photographer shipmates click here Compiled by Photographer's Mate Chief Petty Officer (Hon) Daniel Alan Bernath, sources include, The Eyes of the Fleet by Photographers Mate Chief Art Giberson, the collections of the US Achieves, US Department of Defense and Official US Navy Photography created by the artistic and courageous efforts of US Navy Photographer's Mates through the decades.



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