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After studying his photos, it’s hard to believe that Schiller has never had any professional photography experience. Children are often difficult models, but he manages to capture their spirit in all of his shots. The trick, he confessed, is to "kid around with them. I show them little tricks and just talk to them. After awhile, a child who was initially cranky is relaxed and having a lot of fun." It also helps to have a reliable camera, and in Uncle Howie’s case, this summer he has two. This is the first year that he’s used a digital camera and so far he is pleased with the results.

From honing his craft throughout the years, Schiller finds that his best photos result from spontaneous and unstructured moments. "Every year I have five or six nose pickers," he chuckled. "And this little guy looks like he had a headache," Schiller said, pointing to one of his most recent collages. "A lot of parents ask me, ‘Why did you take it then?’ Well," he explained, "the photos are better when the kids are more natural." Schiller usually devotes about five to six hours every day to his summer pasttime. Between the actual photographing of the children, the frequent trips to Wal Mart to get the film developed, the time it takes to assort and hand deliver or mail the prints, it’s clear that he’s dedicated. Schiller averages taking 70 rolls of film per summer. "So that’s about 1,400 to 1,500 photos this year," he said.

Therefore it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that he’s taken more than 20,000 photos of Chautauqua youth since he began the project. The Refectory boards are updated constantly and at the end of each summer, the photos are transferred to an album that is stored in the Institution’s archives. But his photographs do more than add to Chautauqua’s historical records; they inspire smiles from viewers and benefit the annual fund. Schiller refuses to accept any type of payment for his photos. Instead, he suggests that those who offer him money donate it to the Chautauqua Fund, which is a yearly fundraiser that supports the Institution’s programs and scholarships.

"I encourage anyone who wants to thank me to send a check to the fund," Schiller said. He carries donation envelopes on him at all times and each summer makes "between $1,500 to $2,000" for the fund. Uncle Howie and his wife, Bobbie, have been coming to Chautauqua for 19 years. Both are retired and spend seven months out of the year in Florida and five months on the grounds. Their children and grandchildren enjoy summer visits to the Institution, and one of their grandsons is currently an intern for the Department of Religion’s Abrahamic Program for Young Adults. The Schillers have been married for an impressive 61 years, and Schiller described maintaining the relationship as easy. "It all hinges on two words: Yes, dear," he joked.

Written by Brigid Gallagher