Heartfelt Honky Tonk

Henry Horenstein received the following advice in the first years of his photography career: “Photograph what you love.”

Those instrumental words came from his teacher at the time, the renowned photographer Harry Callahan, whom Horenstein studied under at Rhode Island School of Design in the early 1970s. “I wonder if he was saying it as kind of a joke, but I’ve taken it as my lifelong mantra. Even if you don’t take good pictures, you’ll have a good time,” says Horenstein.

And what did he love? Country music. “I bought my first album ever when I was eight. It was Johnny Cash Sings Hank Williams from Sun Records.” Horenstein purchased the record from a shop in his

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Read This Next

'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought
World’s first ultrasounds of wild manta rays reveal a troubling truth
Titanic was found during secret Cold War Navy mission

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet