Kim Sargent, a Palm Beach Daily News photographer for more than a decade before starting his own successful architectural photography business, died Wednesday surrounded by his family.
He was 70 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. Association of Photographers.
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While still a young man, Mr. Sargent moved east with his family to care for an elderly grandfather. They settled in Saratoga, New York, where his father took a job at The Saratogian newspaper.
During the Saratoga racing season, Mr. Sargent earned his first published photo credit for a picture from a horse race that was published on the front page of the sports section of the New York Times.
Circumstances played a critical role in Mr. Sargent’s success. His father was unable to fulfill his commitment to photograph a social event in Saratoga and asked Mr. Sargent to step in for him.
Mr. Sargent’s photography and people skills caught the eye of then Shiny Sheet editor 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 jobs at the Shiny Sheet,” said Alan Stenberg, former society editor for the Palm Beach Daily News. “I, the writer; he, the photographer”.
A few weeks later, Stenberg recalled, Mr. Sargent told her he planned to marry Joanie.
“I told him he was crazy, it was the time of a lifetime to really live.”
“I went down to see him a few days before he died and told him I was wrong. Joanie was the best thing that ever happened to him.
“And he was the best friend I ever had. I miss him every time I close my eyes.”
Ellen Koteff, former editor of the Palm Beach Daily News, remembers Mr. Sargent as “a tremendously talented photographer.
“Not only was he extremely skilled at his craft, but he totally put all of his subjects through his humor and likability factor.”
She added: “He was as likable as they come, and the best part is that it was second nature to him.”
After a decade at the Daily News, Mr Sargent and Joanie set up their eponymous architectural photography business, which has since become internationally known and now includes his two sons, who have joined their father after graduating from college.
In addition to Joanie, his wife of 45 years and business partner, he is survived by 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 be held at the Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center at 754 US 1, North Palm Beach,
Shannon Donnelly is society editor and columnist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at [email protected]
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