Joel Sartore / by Bill Frakes

This is one of the smartest, nicest, kindest people I know, posing with her husband Joel.

One of the pleasures of my professional world is the wonderful colleagues I get to spend time with.

Many of them I have known for decades, and I'm never disappointed in their generosity and friendship. Whenever I reach out one of them is always there providing support, counsel and guidance.

My buddy Joel Sartore, grinning here because as always I bought lunch, is a brilliant and committed photographer and environmentalist. In addition to being one of the best and brightest photographers working today, he is an incredibly funny man.

His massive ongoing project, The Photo Ark, is a display not only of his genius, but also his dedication.