Our Photo on the Cover of Smithsonian: A Full-Circle Moment

We’re thrilled to share that Chris's work was featured in one of the most iconic publications in the world—Smithsonian Magazine. The article, “Recovering the Lost Aviators of World War II,” follows the extraordinary efforts of Project Recover to locate and honor the final resting place of Lt. Jay Ross Manown Jr. and his crew, whose plane was lost off the coast of Palau in 1944.

What makes this moment even more personal for us is that Chris, our co-founder, diver, and photographer, was on all three missions to this site. He played a dual role—diving in to support the recovery efforts and documenting everything as the primary underwater photographer.

Here’s the twist that makes this story so unforgettable: on that particular dive—the one featured on the cover of Smithsonian, the one where the remains of Lt. Manown were finally discovered—Chris’s professional camera malfunctioned underwater. But being the seasoned diver and storyteller he is, he was prepared.

He reached for his backup GoPro, already mounted and ready to go. In a moment that required precision, clarity, and timing, he captured a powerful image—one that would eventually become the cover photo for Smithsonian Magazine.

We probably wouldn’t have chosen that image ourselves. As a media team, we’re used to curating from high-end shots taken with top-of-the-line equipment. But that’s the beauty of it. Being a professional means being ready, no matter what you’re working with. And Chris was ready.

The synchronicity of it all—the mission, the malfunction, the image, the publication—feels nothing short of magical.

This story wasn’t just a milestone for us; it was a major moment for Project Recover. It was the culmination of years of effort, multiple missions, and tireless dedication by a team of people who all showed up with heart and purpose. Even more moving, the article led to a breakthrough: Lt. Manown’s niece discovered, through the piece, that the search for her uncle was underway. She was later identified as his next of kin, and we had the honor of meeting her at a memorial we helped document—a story we’ll share soon.

For Chris, this cover photo marked a full-circle moment. After retiring from a military career where most of his work remained classified and unseen, his image—taken in the most unexpected way—was suddenly gracing bookshelves across the country.

You can read the full Smithsonian article here.

It’s a reminder of why we do what we do. And why we always keep the camera rolling.