Paul O’ Mara
d COMMUNITY
Getting to Know …
Paul O’ Mara
Professional photographer
BY JILL BECKER
If a photo is worth a thousand words, then Rome-based photographer Paul O’ Mara has enough stories to fill a pretty hefty-sized book. O’ Mara, now 72, had an interest in the art form from an early age, and began his career in 1977 as a photographer for the U. S. Navy. In 1981, while completing his photojournalism fellowship at Syracuse University, he was offered a job as a photographer for the Navy’ s prestigious Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron. He traveled around the U. S., snapping images as the team performed their aerial magic and interacted with fans after the shows. Later, O’ Mara worked as the lead photographer for the Rome News-Tribune, covering“ everything from meetings to sports to news and then some.” Today, O’ Mara runs his own photography business, working primarily with educational institutions like Berry College and Lee University. Here’ s more from this seasoned shutterbug.
How did you get interested in photography?
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, which had a strong photography community. I was intrigued by all of the wonderful photography that seemed to be celebrated there.
What was your first camera? A Pentax Spotmatic.
Did you have any other jobs before becoming a photographer?
I once worked on a steamboat. I was 23 and living in New Orleans. I was considering enlisting in the Navy, but was told there would be a nine-month delay before I could join. I needed a job until then and responded to a newspaper ad saying the Delta Queen steamboat was looking for crew members. I accepted a job as a porter, signed my Navy enlistment, and then traveled the Ohio and Mississippi rivers for the next seven months.
Tell me about the first photo you ever took when you thought, hey, I might have a future in this.
I photographed a sunrise at a thoroughbred farm.
What’ s your favorite subject to photograph?
People and communities.
Have you photographed any major celebrities over the years?
Yes, Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, John Travolta, Tom Selleck, John Glenn, James Dickey, and Madeleine Albright.
Any interesting celebrity stories?
I was assigned by Berry College to photograph Maya Angelou during a speech she was making in their chapel. Her spellbinding presence made for a silent crowd. I was attempting to muffle the sound of my shutter as I photographed her, but it cut through the silence, and she let me and the audience know it!
Besides your work with colleges and universities, what other types of work do people hire you for?
I photograph for homebuilders and occasionally real estate. Some industrial photo work, too.
What’ s your dream photograph? Something or someone you’ ve always wanted to capture on film?
I ' ll let you know when I find it.
What’ s your favorite place in Northwest Georgia?
Wardlaw ' s Lucky Eye Q in LaFayette.
What’ s your favorite expression or quote?
Rome will thrive despite itself.
What’ s something that’ s always on your bedside table?
A copy of David Allen Sibley’ s Backyard Birds of the Southeast.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Lobster.
If you could meet anyone alive or dead, who would it be?
W. Eugene Smith.
What do you do when you need inspiration?
Walk.
What’ s the best advice you’ ve ever received?
Give it a try.
Paul O’ Mara Photography photomara. com
12 | NW GEORGIA LIVING JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2026