We were lucky to catch up with Larry Nader recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Larry thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Growing up with two loving parents who provided structure and guidance allowed me and my brothers to develop into individuals with our own unique personalities, strengths, and interests. All three of us are vastly different in our personalities yet we always put family first. Despite their initial preference for me to attend a Catholic high school upon graduating 8th grade from a parochial grade school, my parents respected my decision to attend a Detroit public school with a more diverse student body, which ultimately broadened my perspective immensely. When I expressed interest in joining the US Navy after high school, my parents were hesitant but ultimately agreed to support my decision. My dad had served in the Army during World War II and knew the horrors I could face during wartime. Luckily for me, there was very little military activity during my 6 years of service. Although my time in the military was not without its challenges, it taught me many valuable lessons about work ethic and personal responsibility. While I wish my father could have been there to see me grow and succeed after my service, I know that the values he instilled in me will continue to guide me throughout my life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

When I was 18, I didn’t realize that my writing, photography, and art talents could have led to a successful media career. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s, when I launched Great Lakes Hockey Alliance magazine (GLHA), that I began writing and photographing professionally. This regional hockey publication covered all hockey in Michigan and southwestern Ontario, Canada, from junior hockey to college, minor-professional, and major-professional.

In high school, I studied Electronics because my brother attended college for it, and my parents saw it as the future. I continued studying it in the Navy, where I received electronics training for Ship’s Inertial Navigation Systems (SINS). This device helps navigate submarines underwater and provides positioning data to its missile system. However, I didn’t discover my passion for writing until my 40s. In 1993, as a season ticket holder for the Detroit Junior Wings of the Ontario Hockey League, I joined the team’s booster club., and was asked to serve as vice president. To keep members informed, we started a monthly newsletter, to which I contributed a monthly article. I also organized club bus trips to watch the team on the road. Through this experience, I gained confidence in my writing ability and started to express myself through words.

Back in 1994, I took on the task of setting up a booster club for the newly franchised Detroit Vipers. The Vipers were part of the International Hockey League, and I was inspired to create this club with my friend Mike Kitchen. We were on a road trip one day, discussing how hockey magazines did not properly cover minor-pro and junior hockey teams. As aspiring writers, we started discussing what we would do if we published a magazine. This led me to create GLHA with my wife, and Mike joined our team as our photojournalist covering the Detroit Vipers. I provided about 40% of the written content and 70% of the photography for the monthly publication, employing ten additional writers and three other photographers. It was an exciting time, and I enjoyed it more than any other job. Despite working a full-time job in the Automotive Industry for 45 hours a week, I worked another 45 hours weekly on the magazine. We traveled almost every weekend to cover games in Michigan and southern Ontario. Some of the biggest highlights during that time were covering the 1997 Detroit Vipers and the 1998 Chicago Wolves (IHL) Turner Cup championships.

I have been fortunate enough to attend numerous championship hockey events in the International Hockey League (IHL), Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), United Hockey League (UHL), and the Continental Elite Hockey League (CEHL). The atmosphere at these events is always electric and thrilling. One of my most unforgettable experiences was when I was invited into the Vipers locker room after their 1997 Turner Cup Championship win to photograph the team celebration. I recall standing on a bench to avoid getting my camera soaked with champagne when team captain Stan Drulia and assistant captain Bobby Jay called out to me. They held the cup filled with sparkling champagne and asked, “Larry, do you want to drink from this?” I was taken aback and replied, “Me? I’m just media.” However, Drulia insisted, “You have covered us since 1995; come over here and take a drink.” It was an unforgettable experience and my only opportunity to drink from a championship cup. However, I did get to spend time with the Stanley Cup following the Detroit Red Wings championships in 1997, 1998, and 2002. Additionally, Vipers head coach Steve Ludzik even offered me a championship cigar, and my wife was gifted one of Wayne Presley’s skates, which we still have today.

Covering the Red Wing Alumni and meeting my childhood idols was an incredible experience. It even led me to publish “Tales From The Rink” in 2000. In the book, I chronicle the life stories (from childhood to retirement) of twelve former NHL players from the 1940s through the 1990s.

By the start of 2000, I wrote for two hockey print publications, three online sports publications, and the Detroit Vipers website. Additionally, I provided Viper game reports for the Detroit News and worked as a stringer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Houston Chronicle. However, everything ended abruptly when the International Hockey League ceased operations in 2001.

After the IHL collapse, I started covering the Continental Elite Hockey League during its inaugural year, writing for Hockey Weekly. I also covered the Central States Hockey League for both Hockey Weekly and USA Junior Hockey Magazine. During the 2002-03 season, I took on the role of Media Relations Manager for the CEHL, in addition to color commentary for the league’s Detroit Lighting cable broadcasts. I also did play-by-play for the Brownstown Bombers (Michigan) games.

After leaving the media industry, I worked as a manager and then as a District Manager in the self-storage sector. This took me to various locations, including Michigan, Delaware, Virginia/DC, and New Jersey. Eventually, I was offered a position as a Merchandising Manager for a chain of convenience stores and car washes in Phoenix, which required me to relocate. My wife and I established a business in 2013 to help seniors who needed relocation assistance. Most of our clients were people moving from their homes to independent living, assisted living, or memory care facilities. It was a fulfilling experience to help individuals who had no family or whose family was not nearby. However, we had to close the business in late 2017 due to health issues from my military service.

The sudden end of my work career came as a complete shock to me. I had always planned on working until my last breath, but the universe had other plans. So, I had to reinvent myself once again. In 2017, I teamed up with a friend who was a professional musician and had played with many big names over the years. He was living in Litchfield Park, Arizona, and still performed regular gigs at a nearby resort. I joined him to assist in getting the band more exposure and gigs. I thoroughly enjoyed myself during this time as I have had a passion for music since my teenage years. However, I eventually realized it was time for me to move on and pursue my love for photography and writing.

I started Larry Nader Photography & Art in December 2019. I aimed to create photography and digital art to sell in my online stores. I began by setting up stores on Fine Art America and Pixels. Shortly after, I discovered Art Pal and Society6 and opened stores there, too. I completed my collection of stores by adding one on Redbubble. In the meantime, I also started working on a new book about ghost towns, places, and attractions in Arizona, which would eventually be changed to a weekly blog.

I launched State 48 A2Z in January 2022 as a travel blog documenting my visits to various places in Arizona for my online stores. However, it has since evolved into State 48 A2Z – Arizona Then and Now, a weekly blog that can be accessed at Medium.com/@State48A2Z. The blog highlights Arizona’s history, including its prominent and notorious figures and other exciting stories from the state’s past spanning over 110 years. Additionally, I share information about historical sites, ghost towns, and other attractions around the state. This project has been a source of immense pleasure during my retirement, and I’m thrilled to share my experiences with others.

As I near the end of my journey on this planet, I believe it’s essential to focus on the beauty of our world. Despite the constant influx of negativity, I take comfort in knowing that I am doing my part to leave a positive impact. Through my photography, digital art, and writing, I hope to leave a lasting legacy that brings happiness and inspiration to others. If even one person is able to find solace in my work and feel uplifted by it, then I consider my mission accomplished.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I haven’t yet developed a keen interest in NFTs; even though it’s a growing market, I find physical art more satisfying. My work is largely sold on clothing and household items, which I’m very excited about. When you have a piece of art on your wall, only a limited number of people can appreciate it. But when it’s on clothing, hundreds of people see it every time it’s worn. Art is something that should be shared with the world. I receive frequent messages from people on social media who want to purchase my work as NFTs, but most seem to be scams. They start arguing with me as soon as I respond that I’m not equipped to produce or sell NFTs and refuse to take a polite no as an answer. If artist sale websites provided this service, I might be interested, but only if I’m paid in real currency. Crypto is still too volatile and not easily transferable to cash. This is not to detract from those who sell or collect NFTs. It’s just that you can’t please everyone, so it’s important to do what makes you comfortable.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My main goal is to bring joy to people through my art. Even if they don’t purchase my work, I find it fulfilling that they appreciate it through online and social media platforms. Of course, it’s always a bonus when I earn some extra income from it. I love to travel and capture the beauty of different places with my camera. It’s not unusual for me to take hundreds of photos just to find the perfect one or two that I want to share with the world. The saying, “Every picture tells a story,” is something I strongly believe in. I enjoy the process of taking an ordinary photo and using software or Artificial Intelligence to transform it into something amazing. I am constantly looking to improve my skills and learn more about my craft. As someone who has experienced PTSD, I struggle with staying present in the moment. However, I remind myself that the past cannot be changed, but the present shapes the future. I strive to be better each day and use my past experiences as lessons to learn from. I focus on setting achievable goals for the future while cherishing the past as memories.

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.redbubble.com/people/larrynaderphoto/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LarryNaderPhotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/larrynaderphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/larry-nader-photography
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/larrynaderphot1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@larrynaderphotographyart4941
• Other: Society6.com/LarryNaderPhotography janis-nader.fineartamerica.com janis-nader.pixels.com ArtPal.com/LarryNaderPhotog Medium.com/@State48A2Z

Image Credits
Larry Nader Photography& Art