Strait's photos on display at NCKMC

As a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, Bruce Strait was once a common sight on the streets of Concordia. “I was a professional street walker for over 30 years,” he said with a grin.

Nowadays, more and more people are getting to know Strait through his award-winning photography, which is on display at the North Central Kansas Medical Center (NCKMC).

Over 100 of Strait's photos are shown throughout the new hospital facility. “It's really beyond belief, just humbling,” Strait said. “I couldn't have imagined it. It's an honor.”

“Bruce has beautiful photos,” said Ashley Hutchinson, the Director of Governmental Relations/Affiliate Marketing and PR at NCKMC. “We had decided as a team that we wanted the hospital to have artwork that was reflective of Cloud County and north central Kansas, and Kansas as a whole. If someone was in therapy or rehab or walked down a hallway, we wanted them to see something familiar and make a personal connection. Hopefully that will help with their healing.”

Strait's photography has been chosen as the Kansas Ducks Unlimited Print of the Year, and he's also won several phonebook cover contests.

Strait began his photography career almost 43 years ago in Japan. “I bought my first 35mm camera in 1979 on the aircraft carrier Midway, in the ship's store.”

Strait was always taking photographs, of just about everything. But he loved photographing wildlife the most. “I really got serious about it in 2014,” he said. “My wife bought me a digital camera, and kind of created a monster. Before that, it was really cost-prohibitive to shoot on film. You'd shoot a whole roll and have it developed for maybe one or two photographs that you liked.”

When Strait decides to take his camera out for the day, he does so without a plan of action. “Really, I just start looking. Whatever catches my eye. I do like wildlife, but I don't go out with any set plan. Fall is my favorite time of the year to take pictures. There's so many vibrant colors.”

Strait had a sleepless night before the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at NCKMC on October 28, and the personal tours of the building that followed. “I was like a kid on Christmas Eve. Didn't sleep well. I'm my own worst critic. And then when I saw it I was just blown away.”

Strait has often considered, and has often been told, that he should publish a book of his photographs. “It's something I've thought about for years. I was just never sure if anybody would buy it. Maybe now I will do one.”