Remembering Bruce Haley
The NANPA Community lost a great champion, friend, and colleague with the recent passing of Bruce Haley. Below, please see some of Bruce’s amazing images, a note from Susan Day, and memories from the community. In respect for Bruce’s love of nature and NANPA, his family has asked that you please consider making a gift to the Nature Photography Foundation in Bruce’s honor by CLICKING HERE.
In Memory of…. Bruce Haley
By Susan Day
NANPA lost a treasured member on July 3, 2026 with the passing of Bruce Haley.
Bruce joined NANPA in 2003 but I didn’t meet him until the 2008 Summit in Destin, Florida where he was a breakout speaker. His topic was “Becoming a Self-Supporting Nature Photographer: Life Beyond Stock.” While most Summit programs at the time focused on nature’s beauty, conservation, and documentation; Bruce who was a CPA by trade, chose to share the business-side of photography with attendees. I remember walking out of that class feeling like there was hope for photographers if they were willing to put in the office and marketing work. I also walked out with a new friend!
Bruce and I met for dessert later at that summit and sat for hours telling stories! That was the beginning of an 18-year relationship where we not only worked together on countless NANPA projects, committees, boards, and meetings; but we also shared our dreams, troubles, and successes with each other almost weekly. I consider Bruce one of my best friends!
You can read his obituary at this link
Bruce’s interests, skills, and talents amazed me! He was a genius with numbers and freely shared that expertise with NANPA and the NANPA Foundation by volunteering his time to both organizations serving as their Treasurers for many years. When I was NANPA’s Executive Director (2011-2023), I worked with him on complex spreadsheets and budgets and was impressed with his ability to forecast dues retentions and annual budgets—often within $1,500 a year! He towed the line on NANPA’s finances; and I believe that if it hadn’t been for his grit and skills, that NANPA probably wouldn’t exist today.
Besides having an analytical mind for numbers, he also had a creative side that he expressed through photography, music, learning new things and writing, He loved music and played several instruments including guitar, mandolin, banjo, and Appalachian Mountain Dulcimers. He collected old pinball machines and owned one of each style ever made. In December 2025 he emailed me that he’d spent the last month building a 678-piece wooden marble run and his next project would be building a 3d printer.
But photography was what drew him to NANPA. Using his camera lens as a paintbrush was his motto, and it’s evident in his fine art work which has won numerous awards (including NANPA Showcase in 2016 and 2017) and been displayed in hundreds of exhibitions throughout the country.
His other NANPA Accomplishments include:
- Bruce was instrumental in starting the NANPA Regional Events Program. He was one of the first leaders with Jim Clark, Dave Fattaleh, Steve Shaluta, and Clayton Spangler for the 2006 Appalachian Spring Regional Event in Davis, West Virginia. And that was the beginning of many years of NANPA Regional Events (now known as NANPA Photo Tours).
- Helped establish the NANPA MeetUp Program and was an organizer for the West Virginia Group.
- Served on the NANPA Board of Directors from 2011-2021, including Treasurer for most of those years.
- NANPA President 2013-2014
- Chair of the Finance Committee and Regional Events Committee for many years.
- Mentor and friend to many.
In Bruce’s words, “Photography isn’t about f/stops, shutter speeds or equipment. It’s about living, feeling, seeing. It’s about opening my mind to learning, not only about the people, places and things around me, but also, about me. Photography, for me, is life living, life giving.”
Rest in peace, my friend. You’ve earned it and you’ll be missed.
Susan Day
NANPA Program Coordinator
All Images Below by Bruce Haley
Memories of Bruce from NANPA Colleagues & Friends
If you would like to add your thoughts, please send them in an email to susanday@nanpa.org to be added.
”What I always loved about Bruce was his smile. He could just radiate joy and you knew if he was smiling, things were right with the world. He was one of the most kind-hearted people I have ever met.
Sean FitzgeraldNANPA President | 2015-2016
”I remember attending the 2006 NANPA Appalachian Spring Regional Event which was led by Bruce and Jim Clark. It sold me on the value of regional events - the sense of being among my people and the opportunity to explore new areas photographically. Eventually I got to know those areas well enough to lead my own photography workshops there. I remember Bruce being very involved in the organization of the event and enthusiastic about sharing an area that clearly meant a lot to him. At some point during that trip I stopped at Tamarack a wonderful center of WV art and craft. I saw Bruce’s work for sale there. I remember thinking this guy has a great marketing sense - the way he packaged his art to be an easy giftable item was very clever. I’m sure his work was probably very good sellers. As someone who was selling art at art shows myself, I could appreciate what he had done.
Mary Louise RaveseNANPA Photo Tours Coordinator
”It was very sad news that Bruce had passed. He’s the reason I’m still flying and photographing with a drone. When drones first appeared, Bruce jumped right in and bought one. Shortly after that, we were talking about it and how I was thinking about getting one myself. In typical Bruce fashion, he let me borrow his for a few weeks! Think about that -- a novice borrowing someone’s new drone. I could have crashed his drone, but that’s the kind of guy Bruce was. He always was a giving man.
He gave so much to NANPA and the people he touched. He will be missed by many.
Richard DayNANPA Membership Relations Coordinator
”I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bruce Haley. I worked with him during our time on the NANPA Board and I admired his passion for NANPA. He will be deeply missed by the NANPA community.
Dawn WilsonNANPA President | 2019-2022
”For many years Bruce was the financial conscience of NANPA and the Nature Photography Foundation. When a board would propose a project, award or grant, he would listen to everyone, then ask where the funding was going to come from and is it in the budget. He made the boards of both organizations think about financial aspects before deciding. We needed that direction. You will be missed, my friend.
John NuhnNANPA President: 1998-1999 | NANPA Foundation President: 2004-2009 & 2016-2019.
”I first met Bruce back in the 2000’s when he attended one of the workshops I was doing for the conservation group The Mountain Institute. After peppering me with questions one morning during breakfast, he started hanging out, thirsty to learn more. Before long I was mentoring Bruce in his nature photography. He was more than willing and excited to tolerate my constant badgering.
Eventually the instructor/student relationship morphed into a close friendship eventually leading me to ask Bruce if he would assist me in my workshops.
For years, he assisted me with my Great American Photography Weekends (GAPW), which became one of the most popular workshops GAPW offered. Bruce’s willingness to help others and inspire them to do even more with their photography was instrumental in the workshop’s success.
Bruce was in the forefront of creating abstract images through camera movement & digital editing, and he brought that energy and excitement for this creative form of photography to my workshop students. He had his own unique approach to photography, and he was so willing to share that with others, me included.
The most memorable moments for me were during the days prior to the workshops when we would be scouting locations and setting up the classrooms. So much fun, laughter, and friendship. I was so honored to have met Bruce and to share our love for photography with others.
Jim ClarkNANPA President | 2002-2003
”It was my privilege to serve on the board with Bruce during the years that NANPA stopped using the management company and brought the management in-house. Finances were difficult then and Bruce’s experience and expertise as a CPA were invaluable in making us all understand how association finances worked.
Bruce had to occasionally pound some of the concepts into my thick head, and I developed a lifelong respect for him and valued his friendship. His contributions to NANPA and the Foundation were selfless and must never be forgotten.
Just a few weeks ago we had exchanged a couple IMs about the joys of getting older. Bruce, we won’t forget you…
Bill PlunkettNANPA President | 2011-2012
”I did not know Bruce as well as other longer term board members so I really do not have a memory to share. However with his long-term service to the Foundation I shall be making a personal donation in honor of his work and wishes. Susan, thanks for all you are doing to honor him and document memories. It is through our memories that we keep those who have passed on alive for ourselves, others and families.
Larry St. PierreNANPA Foundation and Nature Photography Foundation Member
”Bruce Haley was one of those larger than life people. Yes, he physically took up space but his presence filled a room. Bruce and I were in the same room during many NANPA meetings. Some rooms were physical and some were virtual. In each meeting, though, I always knew Bruce was listening, digesting, and analyzing the topic. He was always engaged but never dominating. When he spoke, his opinions were thoughtful, reasoned, and concise. I never had to worry that Bruce had a hidden agenda. His thoughts and actions were always for the betterment of NANPA.
I’ll miss Bruce Haley the gentle giant. He did a lot in his life and touched a lot of people. He’ll be missed but he leaves a strong legacy behind.
Kathy Adams ClarkNANPA President 2007-2008 | NANPA Summit Program Coordinator 2008-2025
”We were so lucky to grow up when we did…and where we did. Because Cathy and I moved to Denver, we took classes from Bob Rosinski and Wendy Shattil and joined the photo club they were starting. They returned to the club after the very first NANPA gathering in Ft. Myers, and their description made us feel like we had to be a part of this. Our first summit was in ’97 in Corpus Christi, and just to hang out with our idols—I was on an Ethics Panel at that one and got to answer questions from Art Wolfe and Frans Lanting.
For good or bad, Bruce was the first one pushing me to contribute more after I became a NANPA board member. He rarely traveled far from home, but he was a fervent nature photographer. Regardless of how popular his opinions were, he always had the best interests of NANPA at heart. He was one of the reasons I looked forward to the annual visit to St. Louis for summer board meetings, and that’s saying a lot. He will be missed.
Gordon IllgNANPA President | 2018-2019
”Bruce and I worked together at NANPA for a few years, more than a decade ago. I was the bookkeeper, and Bruce was the Treasurer. I learned so much from Bruce! He was always kind, patient, and so knowledgeable. He had an amazing capacity for compassion and empathy. He was a mentor, a friend, and a wise teacher. He was one of the good ones.
Marcy MonkmanNANPA Bookkeeper | 2011-2014
”Working with Bruce as a NANPA Board Member was a pleasure. He always seemed to have the ability to make things work and was thinking way ahead of us. He was an important force in NANPA’S focus and direction.
I’d get an email from time to time from Bruce just to say hi and see how I’m doing, the last being just a few months ago. That’s how he was, just a good person in so many respects. I for one will miss some of our chats.
Jack GrahamNANPA Board of Directors | 2013-2017
”He was such a champion of NANPA—always loved my time with him.
Francine ButlerNANPA Executive Director | 1994-2010
”I want to say how sorry I am for the loss of Bruce. I understand you are putting together a memorial page for him, and my main contribution would be to add what a loyal and devoted person to NANPA he was, and so instrumental in keeping NANPA afloat during the financial crisis of the transition period to independent management (as were you). His guiding and consistent resistance to financial mistakes during that time were so crucial to forming the strong organization that evolved into what it is today.
I will miss him personally. He was a good friend, though I have not had contact with him in years. We met when he first joined the NANPA Board around 2010-2011 and was a newbie. I enjoyed his company so much for many years.
Mary Jane GibsonNANPA Foundation President | 2010-2013
”Dang it! That's sad news and put a damper on my day 🙁 Bruce was such a big part of keeping NANPA afloat for so many years.
Bruce was a steady guiding hand during many of NANPA's rough seas. Beside providing sound financial advice, he was very supportive of the NANPA board, regardless of who was on it. He always promoted the agendas that were best for NANPA. Thank you Bruce for your unwavering commitment to NANPA!
John LockNANPA Webmaster | 2001-2023
