Welch’s specialty was platinum palladium prints—a process also used by pioneering photographers Irving Penn, Paul Strand, Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Weston, among others. After a decades-long career as a manager for Sonoco Products Company, Welch formalized his study of photography by enrolling in Georgia State’s art school in his late 80s; he earned a bachelor of fine arts in photography from the university in 1999. During fall semester 2002, Welch enrolled in introductory painting and drawing classes to improve his photography skills. He continued his self-education when he took up digital photography at 102. Welch became a generous benefactor to the art school and it was named in honor of his generosity and passion in 2003. View his photographic work in Georgia State’s private library archives.