Baby Contest, an image from his 50-year body of work | Photo by David LaBelle

The School of Media’s Photojournalism department would like to invite you and your students to come meet photographer, author, teacher, motivational speaker and lover of life David LaBelle as he presents lessons he has learned in his 50-year career at a lecture presentation on the campus of WKU. LaBelle will reveal his emotional connection to the purpose and meaning behind why he wanted to share with the world the death of his mother in his 350-page recently released novel. It is a story that you will not soon forget.

“After many years or laboring with this story,” LaBelle said in a press statement, “my first novel is finally finished.  Though some suggested I write this as a memoir, I resisted because I wanted to change history and give the story of my mother a different ending.   Since my mother’s body was never officially found or identified, Bridges and Angels: The Story of Ruth is about what could have happened after her disappearance.  This 350-page book is fiction, but much of it is nonfiction. I hope you find the story compelling.”

A recent testimonial about LaBelle’s speaking engagement said, “His passion, coupled with a genuine love of the human spirit comes across so blatantly and encourages others to go out in search of their own creative yearnings. I can think of nothing more refreshing than a master of photography who reminds us of the true heart behind this kind of work.”

LaBelle, an internationally known photographer, teacher, author and motivational speaker, grew up on a frog farm in Oak View, California, exploring the creeks and hills with two sisters and two brothers and numerous dogs. He began his photojournalism career as a weekend sports-shooter and lab man at the Ventura County Star-Free Press in California while still in high school. During his 50-year career, David has worked for a mix of 20 different newspapers and magazines. He has also worked at four universities across the United States, which includes several years here at Western Kentucky University.

• A WKU “swipeable” event and is free and open to the public.

• Free parking is available in the Chestnut St. South lot after 4:30 PM.