Glenn Hansen has been photographing since high school. After receiving a degree in Biology and Chemistry with an environmental emphasis, he turned to his muse, photography, and went in a different direction. Hansen prepared for this new career by studying photography with alumni of the Institute of Design who taught at the College of DuPage. They encouraged him to attend the Institute of Design for further study and experience.
It was there that he began a long-time working relationship and friendship with David Plowden. Hansen worked as David Plowden’s assistant from 1979 to 1991while also working as a freelance photographer. Working as a darkroom assistant and print finisher, Hansen assisted in the image production for 7 books. During these many years Hansen and Plowden developed a working relationship that continues, they have shared photographic, darkroom, and digital knowledge. Today, Hansen leads the effort to archive Plowden’s 70 years of work.
The ID experience and master’s degree opened many paths for Hansen. After graduating in 1984, he began a business as freelance photographer specializing in location product photography and editorial photography. But, the love of teaching had started early, and in 1982, Hansen began his teaching career at Lake County Community College; after 9 years of part-time teaching, he started teaching photography full-time. Since 1991, Hansen and his colleagues have built a photography program at College of DuPage that rivals most schools in the country. It is not the typical community college photography program, but a program that prepares students for commercial or fine art careers with a deep program of courses that are usually only found at universities. Many students finishing the program start their own photographic careers or transfer to four-year school for higher degree.
Hansen, beginning as a large format photographer, now applies that discipline and contemplative approach to digital cameras. His work ranges from urban subjects to the transition zone between suburban and rural environments to the high plains of the western United States.
It has been an exciting time to be involved in the evolution of photography, as the medium transformed from film-based analog photography to digital image-making. While the technology of image production has changed, the importance of the photograph and photographer's vision hasn't changed. Hansen has always had a documentary emphasis in his images. He continues the tradition by showing the viewer images that share the experience of being there. While the subject itself is important, it’s viewer’s response that is key to the success of the photograph.