Bryan Charlton

Bryan you were a consummate professional, provider of creative, beautifully lit and framed insights into humanity. We admire you as a man of principle, warm conversationalist and enthusiast for the world around you. Thanks for many great memories over the past 12 years. Love to Denise, Lauren, Daniel and Families. XXXX

Bryan worked with many of us at Office for Ageing Well – making memories of our special events, launches and moments – always with flair and good humour. Despite COVID interruptions, early in 2020 he completed an extensive photo shoot for our new Plan for Ageing Well 2020-2025. En-route west to visit a sick mate, he spotted nonagenarians Thelma and Austen farming at Kimba. The shots with their big, blue sky are unforgettable, epitomising ageing well in the bush. Bryan’s enthusiasm and vibrancy energised his subjects and endeared him to us. He was a true friend and we will miss him dearly. 

Great pic of Bryan and the Sports Dept Team at Merv Agar’s funeral.

I was fortunate to work along side Bryan over many years, often for opposing media outlets, always great to be with. In later years we often talked about how good it was back then.

Yesterday I was in town and thought.

I’ll call into Parlamento restaurant opposite the Adelaide Railway Station and propose a toast to Bryan. Hanging there are what to me as an old Press Photog  are a few of the best Press images taken in the town : Bryan shot them, I often reminded Bryan of that when we met up.  It was closed but I shot an iPhone pic thru the window and raised a glass last night.

My son Sam, remembers doing work experience with him many years ago at the Tiser. Bryan had just got a laptop and they did the editing at our old local the ‘Duke of Brunswick’. Sam’s met a lot of old ‘TOGS’. He remembers BC very fondly and asked me to pass on his sincere condolences to the family and all who knew Bryan.

Out thoughts go out to Denise, Daniel and Lauren : you’re gunna miss him….

Bryan’s images at Parlamento.

I’ll always remember Bryan laughing and having fun. He touched the hearts of so many people.

We can’t attend his last party as we’ll be interstate but will be thinking of you all.

Photo taken at Pt Victoria. 

What a truly kind, generous and special friend Bryan has been to me, and to all of us!

I’ve known Bryan for most of my life, and as you all know – he always found the fun in just about any situation. And he had the knack of including all the friends, acquaintances and ‘mates’ in the fun. 

Whether partying or travelling back in the day, or being wonderfully welcoming to our family, and interested in my children in later years, the friendship from Bryan (and Denise!) was always warmly felt by me, and us..

Always remembered, and sadly missed (but not too sad – I’m sure he would not want that!)

Lots of love, and big hugs to you Denise, Lauren and Daniel.

I was fortunate to work with Bryan at The Advertiser and it was always a pleasure to go out on a shoot with him. Not only was he one of the best in the business he always made the shoot fun. As a young cadet his knowledge of print media world made it much easier to navigate this new crazy, strange world. 

After we both left the ‘Tiser, Bryan did some work for me while I was at ForestrySA and to this day I am still trying to work out how he got hardened old bush foresters out at Bundaleer Forest to go along with his photo idea was pure magic to watch. They were like putty in his hand. That was his skill – whether you were a colleague or one of his subjects – he always had an amazing connection and impact with people. 

His humor was absolutely legendary and when you spotted that impish smile and the twinkle in the eye you knew that some mischief was close by. 

He was also someone who never changed at all over the years, when we would occasionally catch up whether it was at Advertiser reunions or on the Tuesday curry nights at the Robin Hood,  it was always as though time had stood still, just continuing on with the same conversation we started back in the 1980s.

My thoughts are with Denise and the rest of the family.

Vale to one of the best newspaper photographers this city ever had. ?