Kim Sargent, society and architectural photographer, dies at 70
Kim Sargent, a Palm Beach Daily News photographer for more than a decade before establishing his own successful architectural photography business, died Wednesday surrounded by his family.
He was 70 years old and the husband of Joan (Nacinovich) Sargent.
Born June 28, 1952 at Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto, California, he was the son of Frances (Buck) Sargent and H. James Sargent, a portrait and society photographer and photojournalist for United Press International, and vice president of the National Press Photographers Association.
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While still a young boy, Mr. Sargent moved east with his family to care for an aging grandparent. They settled in Saratoga, New York, where his father took a job with The Saratogian newspaper.
It was during Saratoga's racing season that Mr. Sargent earned his first published photo credit for an image from a horse race that was published on the front page of the New York Times' sports section.
Circumstance played a pivotal role in Mr. Sargent's success. His father was unable to meet a commitment to photograph a Saratoga social event and asked Mr. Sargent to step in for him.
Mr. Sargent's photographic and people skills caught the attention of then-Shiny Sheet publisher Agnes Ash, who was at the same event.
She offered him a job on the spot. He accepted.
"I met Kim almost 50 years ago when we both started our first job at the Shiny Sheet," said Alan Stenberg, former society editor for the Palm Beach Daily News. "Me, the writer; he, the photographer."
A few weeks later, Stenberg recalled, Mr. Sargent told him that he planned to marry Joanie.
"I told him he was crazy, that it was the time of life to really live."
"I came down to see him a few days before he died and told him that I was wrong. Joanie was the best thing to happen to him.
"And he was the best friend to ever happen to me. I miss him every time I close my eyes."
Ellen Koteff, former editor of the Palm Beach Daily News, remembers Mr. Sargent as "an extraordinarily gifted photographer.
"Not only was he extremely skilled at his craft, but he put all his subjects totally at ease because of his humor and likability factor."
She added: "He was as likable as they come, and the best part is that it was second nature for him."
After a decade at the Daily News, Mr. Sargent, along with Joanie, established his eponymous architectural photography business, which has since become internationally known and now includes his two sons, who joined their father after graduating from college.
In addition to Joanie, his wife of 45 years and business partner, he is survived his sons Nickolas and Tyler; his sister Cindy; his grandchildren William Francis Sargent and Carolyn Grace Sargent; his daughters-in-law Nicole Kirchoff Sargent and Camilla Helander-Sargent; and 11 nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, and a service is scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Both will take place at the Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center at 754 U.S. 1, North Palm Beach,
Shannon Donnelly is the society editor and columnist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at sdonnelly@pbdailynews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Kim Sargent, former Shiny Sheet photographer, dies at 70
