Ask San Juan High School’s former photography teacher, Don Taggart, anything about photography, from its early history to the genesis of modern photography, how each of his aged cameras work, or how he and his students developed photos in the “old days,” and he will have a detailed answer for you.

Taggart, 90, is an icon at San Juan High School (SJHS) where he taught photography to both students and adults from 1958 to 1991. Though long-retired he continues to be a presence at the school and is continually volunteering his time and talents in the community.

Augmenting Taggart’s 30 years of teaching the art of photography to hundreds of San Juan students, was the recent donation of dozens of antique cameras and video cameras spanning the 1950s to 1970s to the SJHS Legacy Exhibit.

On February 25th, Taggart and SJHS principal, Vanessa Adolphson, accepted the generous donation from Lupe Barraza, a local photographer and long-time friend of Taggart’s. Adolphson said of the gift, “We are so fortunate to have received such rich history in our San Juan Legacy Room!”

Barraza was ready to downsize his large personal collection of cameras. Many had been a gift from a good friend who he knew like himself, would want the donation to go somewhere it would be appreciated. Barraza had hosted many of Taggart’s classes at Barraza’s studio in Fair Oaks, giving students a real-world hands-on experience in a professional studio environment. This was the perfect place.

At SJHS students in the Digital Media Pathway program are learning not only digital photography but also video production, how to develop websites, plus media arts, and T.V. and theatre production.

Barraza and Taggart saw the need for students to learn about life before the digital world; to understand how today’s highly technical products developed from their prototypes: before pixels and thumb drives there was the box camera and the dark room.

Legacy Exhibit co-chairs Louise Brown, Elthia Hannum, and Jerry Still gratefully accepted the donation to their collection of school history.

Taggart worked his students hard and expected a lot from them but decades of instilling his love for taking pictures and creating memories led many to not only earning extra money but to build successful careers for themselves.

Taggart’s work ethics have taken him into his 90th year, and he shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to teach adults digital photography and has been volunteering at Kaiser helping patients navigate the campus and making them smile for over 20 years. His secret for a long life is, “Just keep moving, get out, and volunteer and help others.” It seems to be working for him!

The donated vintage cameras and antique video cameras will be added to those found by construction workers in cabinets and closets during the school’s recent renovation. Taggart also donated some of his own retired photo equipment which he had used in his classes.

Legacy co-chair Jerry Still said of the donation, “It’s great to see the community and alumni getting more involved. With their help the Legacy Exhibit will continue to thrive.”

This irreplaceable photographic equipment and lots of other SJHS memorabilia can be viewed at the San Juan Legacy Exhibit open at 7551 Greenback Lane every Monday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sign in at the front office and access the exhibit through the cafeteria. Donations and loans of school mementos are always welcome.