Charles O'Rear

Charles O'Rear, born on November twenty-sixth, nineteen forty-one, is a distinguished American photographer and author, celebrated for his iconic image, Bliss, which became the default wallpaper for Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. His career as a National Geographic photographer spanned from nineteen seventy-one to nineteen ninety-five, during which he captured a myriad of compelling stories and landscapes.

Hailing from Butler, Missouri, O'Rear's passion for photography ignited at an early age. He began his professional journey at the Butler Daily Democrat, later honing his skills at notable publications such as the Emporia Gazette, The Kansas City Star, and the Los Angeles Times. His freelance work extended to prestigious outlets like The New York Times and Western Airlines, showcasing his versatility and talent.

In the nineteen seventies, O'Rear participated in the Environmental Protection Agency's Documerica project, where he became the most prolific contributor. His tenure with National Geographic allowed him to explore diverse subjects, including the Old Believers and Napa Valley, making him the only photographer to grace the magazine's cover.

After a significant assignment in Napa Valley in nineteen seventy-eight, O'Rear's focus shifted towards wine photography, leading him to establish the stock photo agency Westlight in nineteen eighty. A pivotal moment in his career occurred in January nineteen ninety-six when he captured a breathtaking image of green rolling hills and cirrus clouds in southern Sonoma County. This photograph, later acquired by Microsoft and renamed Bliss, is speculated to be the most-viewed image in history.

O'Rear continued to document the beauty of Napa Valley through coffee table books and wine-related publications alongside his wife, Daphne Larkin. In two thousand seventeen, the couple relocated to Brevard, North Carolina, where O'Rear eventually retired by two thousand twenty, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of photography.