Bloomington Photography Club

BLOOMINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB HONORS RODNEY A. MARGISON

 After bravely confronting cancer for five months, Rodney Alan Margison, of Bloomington, Indiana, died with his family lovingly surrounding him on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Born October 3, 1962, in Shelbyville, Indiana, Rodney started his photography career in the late 1970s as a high school senior. Had became staff photographer for two newspapers—Corbin (Kentucky) Times-Tribune and Brown County Democrat—before joining Bloom Magazine as managing editor and photography editor in 2016. He created conceptual fine art portrait and fashion photography. He was nominated for the 2026 Josie Music Award Photographer of the Year for his work with local musical artists, venues, and festivals.

Rodney was an award-winning participant in more than two dozen juried and open art and photography shows; he curated and judged a photography exhibition at the Brown County Art Gallery; and held two solo exhibitions in Bloomington—A Little Extra Love with Down Syndrome Family Connection and Ain’t No Sunshine, an emotional and honest documentation of the end of his mother-in-law’s 2017 cancer journey.

After graduating from Columbus North High School in 1980, Rodney served as an advanced emergency medical technician for seven years, concurrently photographing the Indianapolis 500 from the short chute of Turn One. His tenure as a fixture at the Speedway lasted until 2000, first for the Associated Press and then The Racing News, a publication he founded. His editorial work appeared on newswires and in newspapers around the globe, and his images graced the pages of national publications including People, Bon Appetite and ESPN.

Rodney was an educator, mentor and advocate for photography and journalism, helping countless photographers and budding journalists improve their craft with an approachable mix of technical expertise and creative exploration, all with a generous nature that encouraged his pupils to share what they learned with others.

Rodney passionately served the Bloomington Photography Club as a board member, as well as the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington, the Society of Professional Journalists and numerous other professional associations.

He is survived by his wife of more than 37 years, Linda Bates Margison; their two sons, Brandon Tyler (Sara Midkiff) Margison of Niles, Michigan, and Zachary Kyle Margison of Bloomington; sister Karen (Vance) Yelmene; his father Steve (Becky) Margison; stepfather Carlos M. Palmer; father-in-law Paul Bates; “third son” Wesley Schrimsher; special niece Ariel (Jose) Denton, and a large extended family, both chosen and blood-related. He was preceded in death by his mother Donna Darlene Palmer, mother-in-law, Carolyn Bates, and a niece, Amber Morrow.

A “Celebration of Rodney” will take place later this fall with details to follow. Mourners may pay their respects through The Funeral Chapel’s memorial pages. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift to the Rodney Margison Memorial Fund, in care of the Bloomington Photography Club. Mail checks to Steven Schmaltz, BPC Secretary/Treasurer, 458 Woodville Road, Mitchell, IN 47446, or transfer donations via Zelle at scschmaltz@gmail.com.