By Scott Carlson
He let his photos do the talking
In the world of photography, it’s been said, “A Picture is worth a thousand words.”
In his more than 60-year career in photojournalism, Lou Michaels let his pictures do his talking.
“I cover all the angles and I make people smile with the lens cap on,” Lou used to say.
I say “used to” because Lou called me in mid-January to let me know his long-running battle with cancer had taken a dramatic turn for the worse and he had only a few weeks to live.
This wasn’t the way Lou, 81, envisioned ending his career.
As chief freelance photographer for the Bugle, among several current photo gigs, Lou hoped he could return to work after a suffering a major health setback this past August.
But in the last few weeks, a relapse to renal cancer got the best of Lou. He died in the early hours of Feb. 5.
My wife, Betsy, and I were privileged to visit Lou four days before his death. We heard many stories, some of them familiar, some of them new.
What was certain was since Lou joined the Bugle’s freelancer pool in the last few years, we had rubbed elbows with an exceptionally gifted photographer and had made a really good friend.
Lou was a dedicated photographer, taking on his assignments with enthusiasm and diligence. His strong work ethic made him a reliable mainstay, always turning around his work in a timely fashion.
During his tenure at the Bugle, Lou took on a plethora of photo assignments, from new business openings and school assemblies to school sports and community parades. Especially noteworthy were Lou’s photo galleries of high school sports and his photos at the annual St. Anthony Park Fourth of July parade.
For Lou, shooting photos was a labor of love. During his career, he said he accumulated a file of more than 9 million photos in his digital archive, which was a part of his LouThePhotoGuy business.
“What could I see through the lens? I just enjoyed photography,” said Lou, who grew up in the Detroit area and had photo mentors from the Detroit Free Press and other professionals that guided him along the way.
Lou’s first photo gig came at age 19 when he shot pictures at a small birthday party for a friend and was paid $150.
“That’s where it all started,” he said. “I did small jobs so I could buy a newer camera. I was the high school photographer and in college for the college paper.” (He graduated from Henry Ford High School in Detroit and attended community college at McComb and Wayne State in Michigan.)
During his career, Lou worked freelance for scores of newspapers and businesses including the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minneapolis Star & Tribune, Detroit Free Press, Saint Paul Saints, University of St. Thomas, Lillie News, University of St. Thomas, Highland Villager and Insight News Media.
Perhaps Lou’s proudest photojournalism honor came in 2019 when he was inducted into the National Press Club. in Washington, D.C.
Dale Mischke, editor of the MyVillager newspaper in St. Paul’s Highland Park, said Lou was a regular visitor to his office for over 10 years when he did freelance photography for the newspaper
“Lou wasn’t our main photographer, but he was always so grateful for the assignments he received and ever gracious even if we didn’t have any work for him.” Mischke recalled. “He called us to let us know he was back home in his apartment after a four-month stay in the hospital and a transitional care unit.
“He made it clear he didn’t have long to live.” Mischke continued. “I stopped over at his apartment on Jan. 25 and had a nice visit with him. He was the same old Lou right up to the end, I would guess. There, I found out that there was more to the man than I ever gave him credit for.”
Outside of journalism, Lou had many interests. Among other things, he was active in the American Legion and served, for a time, as its historian for the Fourth District, whose territory includes Ramsey County.
Also, Lou and his wife Tammy were past senior royalty for the St. Paul Winter Carnival, with Lou serving as King Winter in 2015. Lou also was a volunteer at the Newspaper Museum at the Minnesota State Fair.
Reflecting on his career, Lou said, “The thing I will miss the most is the people whose pictures I have taken.”
Speaking about his work for the Bugle, he added, “I have never met a nicer bunch of people than in St. Anthony Park.”
Likewise, I’d say. It was tough to find a kinder, more gentle and gracious man than Lou Michaels. As he faced his own mortality Lou told me it would not be a goodbye.
“We never say goodbye. We will meet on the other side.”
Scott Carlson is the managing editor of the Bugle.
Photo cutlines:
Lou Michaels days before his death. Photo by Betsy Carlson.
Freelance photographer Lou Michaels covered a wide variety of subjects for the Bugle during his tenure. These pictures represent a few of photo highlights. He especially loved shooting community events and youth sports.