Howard Qualls was Popular Photographer for Seniors
Howard Qualls
The exhibit of Dumas High School memorabilia at Window on the Plains is centered around photographs of graduating seniors. The photographs formerly hung in the halls at the high school, but after a remodel at the school, they were taken down. Now, they are one of the most popular items at the museum.
The photographs start with the class of 1929. One of the photographers was Howard Qualls who moved here in 1956 to open a business.
Howard's father owned a photography studio in Pampa and Howard helped with the business. Howard started taking photographs when he was 15 years old. His fascination with photography led to his establishing a successful studio in Dumas.
Before he came to Dumas, he served as a photographic technician in the service and graduated from New York's School of Moderne Photography.
In an interview in The Moore County News-Press in July of 1996, Howard says he chose Dumas because "it was a booming community in need of a photographer". The only building available to rent was a "beer joint," he said. "They called it a café, but they sold beer."
The photographs start with the class of 1929. One of the photographers was Howard Qualls who moved here in 1956 to open a business.
Howard's father owned a photography studio in Pampa and Howard helped with the business. Howard started taking photographs when he was 15 years old. His fascination with photography led to his establishing a successful studio in Dumas.
Before he came to Dumas, he served as a photographic technician in the service and graduated from New York's School of Moderne Photography.
In an interview in The Moore County News-Press in July of 1996, Howard says he chose Dumas because "it was a booming community in need of a photographer". The only building available to rent was a "beer joint," he said. "They called it a café, but they sold beer."
Howard Qualls Studio, 317 S. Dumas Ave.
The location was at 317 Dumas Ave. He finally purchased the building and remained there until he retired.
Howard was known for his excellent wedding photographs and sometimes would do three weddings in a day -- starting early in the day and finishing near 10 p.m.
Seniors would make appointments early in their senior year in order to reserve a spot in Howard's schedule. The backdrop used in many of those senior pictures is in a display at the museum. The display has many items from Howard's studio -- his cameras, spotlights, and other photography equipment.
Howard said in the interview that it was not unusual to have an insurance adjuster knock on his door and take him to a wreck to photograph the damage. Today, insurance adjusters take their own photographs and many weddings are photographed by family members.
In the interview, Howard said, "It's a real thrill to photograph something and everything falls into place. You just enjoy doing a good job."
Perfection was always Howard's goal. "You always wanted to make it look better than it is. You always wanted to do a terrific job."
Howard died in March of 2014, leaving behind a large collection of photographs that preserved Moore County history.
Howard was known for his excellent wedding photographs and sometimes would do three weddings in a day -- starting early in the day and finishing near 10 p.m.
Seniors would make appointments early in their senior year in order to reserve a spot in Howard's schedule. The backdrop used in many of those senior pictures is in a display at the museum. The display has many items from Howard's studio -- his cameras, spotlights, and other photography equipment.
Howard said in the interview that it was not unusual to have an insurance adjuster knock on his door and take him to a wreck to photograph the damage. Today, insurance adjusters take their own photographs and many weddings are photographed by family members.
In the interview, Howard said, "It's a real thrill to photograph something and everything falls into place. You just enjoy doing a good job."
Perfection was always Howard's goal. "You always wanted to make it look better than it is. You always wanted to do a terrific job."
Howard died in March of 2014, leaving behind a large collection of photographs that preserved Moore County history.