Pran Dith

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Pran one sunny morning on the steps of The Cathedral of St. John the Divine some years ago. It was the day of the blessing of the animals and Mr. Pran was there on assignment taking pictures. He had asked to photograph my two big white dogs with my husband's two grandsons. I recognized him before he even approached us. I had read about him in the Times and that he worked for the paper. I distinctly remember feeling a sense of unusual calm and peace...

I remembered Pran (as he requested me to call him) welcoming me to The New York Times photo department with open arms. Also being in his home not to long after we became good friends, and being there for me when I went through my worst time of my life. His words to me were “Push forward Julio, do not give up, and if you are feeling lonely, get yourself a dog”. With those words, I never gave up and today I own two dogs. The only thing I did not do; was too become a photographer again; that I...