Sometimes it’s the little things in life that leave the biggest impact. Small, seemingly insignificant memories often end up being the most meaningful. As we grow older, these “simple” moments are the ones we old onto. For 2003 grad Tim Burford, all it takes is a quick drive past one of Endwell’s favorite eateries and he’s quickly flooded with some of these simple, yet lifechanging memories.
“Driving past Best Bagels often takes me back to my high school days, especially the study hall sessions in the library with Mrs. Gaska. We’d spend some time there before heading down to Best Bagels for breakfast—a simple routine that felt so special back then,” said Burford.
More than 20 years later, Burford has dedicated his life to capturing special moments. As the founder of Pen+Pixel, you’ll often find this 2003 alum courtside, or on the sidelines of Spartan athletics contests, ensuring that the accomplishments of our student athletes and coaches forever live on in Spartan history. With a passion for fine art and photography, Burford’ never could have imagined his talents would bring him back to Spartan Country. It all started around the time his daughters got involved in sports.
“I began photographing high school football games for Adam DeSantis. What started as simply capturing moments of my girls and Adam quickly expanded to include friends, the entire team, and various other sports. At this time, shooting was still a hobby,” said Burford.
Then, in the summer of 2023, Burford’s family joined a few other M-E families for a beach vacation. That’s where it all changed.
“One evening, we sat around a table, and the conversation turned to a fun question: What’s your dream job? When it was my turn, I thought for a minute and shared that my dream would be to be a photographer—ideally for National Geographic, (I love the outdoors), or as a sports photographer. That moment stayed with me, sparking a thought that has since grown into something more. Shortly thereafter, with the encouragement and support of my wife, family, and friends, Pen+Pixel was born,” said Burford.
Burford’s love for art started at an early age. There wasn’t a time where he wasn’t putting pencil to paper – and he credits his teachers at Maine-Endwell for encouraging him to keep drawing.
“I was constantly sketching and doodling, filling up notebooks and scraps of paper with my creations. Sometimes, my teachers would keep my drawings and display them in their classrooms. I still remember the math office, where a few of my sketches were pinned up on Mr. Titus’ desk. These days, I see Mr. Titus often during the football season while shooting, and occasionally, the drawings come up and they’re still hanging in his office—a small but meaningful reminder of those days,” said Burford.
Two decades later, that talent and creativity continues to shine in Burford’s work. He credits his start in sports photography to “the incredible M-E community.”
“Pen+Pixel wouldn’t be what it is today without the endless support. A big thank you to Jeff Miller for his hospitality on the sidelines and for making the new guy feel so welcome. I've learned a ton from him already, and I truly appreciate all the advice and guidance. I’m deeply grateful to the parents, players, coaches, and Kevin Hores for trusting me to preserve these unforgettable moments,” said Burford.
For Burford, capturing photos on some of the same fields he once play on is a surreal experience and one he doesn’t take lightly. “I remember passing Big League Chew to my teammates in those very same dugouts. Now, 30+ years later, seeing it all from a new perspective feels almost like an out-of-body experience, as if I’m reliving moments of my childhood through the lens of my camera. The wins, the losses, the smiles, and the tears—all of it stirs up a wave of emotions and memories. Watching these kids, I can’t help but see a reflection of my younger self and the experiences that shaped me on those same fields,” said Burford.
From sketching in notebooks in high school to capturing photos on the sidelines – it may seem that Burford’s life path had a linier trajectory. In fact, it was far from it. Like so many others, his life completely changed on September 11th, 2001. Even as a teenager, he distinctly remembers the exact moment he watched the towers fall. While he didn’t have a clear plan for his future as he entered his junior year of high school, that all changed on this infamous day.
“That day became a turning point in my life and solidified my decision to serve,” said Burford.
Burford enlisted in the Air Force with the AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code) 2W1X1—Aircraft Armament Systems Technician. He was assigned to the F-16 fighter jet, where his responsibilities included loading and unloading bombs, missiles, ammunition, and other munitions, as well as maintaining, servicing, and testing the M61A1 gun system.
“Joining the military was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It taught me invaluable lessons in self-respect and respect for others. Serving alongside men and women from diverse backgrounds and cultures gave me a deeper appreciation for the richness of our world and the strength in camaraderie,” said Burford.
While leaving the life you know behind for a new life in the military is a major adjustment, it wasn’t completely unfamiliar to Burford. His dad served in the Army for 28 years, and he admits joining the military was always a possibility in the back of his mind. That decision was only solidified thanks to one of his favorite teachers - Mr. Maraski.
“He had a down-to-earth approach and an incredible ability to connect with students (might have been the puns or dad jokes!). By sharing his own experiences in the military, he showed me that enlisting didn’t have to be a lifelong commitment—but rather a stepping stone. He opened my eyes to the many paths available, from serving and then pursuing college to exploring other opportunities afterwards,” said Burford.
Burford completed basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. He then attended Tech School at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, and spent his remaining time stationed at Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ before being honorably discharged in July of 2007 with a rank of E-4. Those opportunities that Mr. Maraski mentioned were already presenting themselves.
“After separating from the military, I attended The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. During art school, I eventually enrolled in black-and-white (film) photography classes, followed by digital photography courses. My education reignited my passion for the craft. After art school, I found work in the creative industry, often art directing shoots, creating shot lists, and drafting storyboards. Despite being deeply involved in the process, I wasn’t the one behind the camera—at least, not yet,” said Burford.
While Burford has learned a lot over his career, he credits two teachers, Mrs. Hoffman and Mr. Perkins, for playing a big role in making art a significant part of his school experience.
“Mrs. Hoffman had a gift for making every project exciting, turning the simple projects into adventures. Whether we were sculpting, painting, or experimenting with mixed media, she encouraged us to try new things and find our unique style. The process of creating was just as important as the final piece. In her classroom, creativity had no limits,” said Burford.
He continued, “I spent much of my time in Mr. Perkins' classroom during high school. He had a unique way of connecting art to life, reminding us that creativity isn’t just about our own process but also about how we approach the world. His words shaped more than just our artistic skills—they shaped our character, encouraging us to be better versions of ourselves on a daily basis,” said Burford.
Another teacher he holds close to his heart – Mrs. Hackett, someone he remembers for having an “infectious laugh that can instantly brighten your day.”
“Her daughter enlisted in the Air Force a year ahead of me, and we often bonded over sharing stories and updates about her experiences. Whenever I was home on leave, I tried to make it a priority to stop by the school to say hello and provide updates like she once did for me. Those visits were always a highlight—her warm hugs and heartfelt conversations reminded me of home,” said Burford.
From his career in the creative field to his time in the military, Burford says Maine-Endwell prepared him for every step of the way.
“In the military, advancing in rank and skill requires extensive on-the-job training and rigorous testing—processes that felt familiar and manageable thanks to the preparation I received at M-E. The techniques and problem-solving skills instilled in me during those years proved invaluable in facing similar challenges after graduation,” said Burford.
Working the sidelines of some of the biggest games in New York state, Burford feels privileged to interact with the students of today - some who share the same teachers he once had. His message:
“Be a good human—kindness truly goes a long way. You never know who you’ll cross paths with again or who might play a role in your success down the road. The connections you make today could shape your future in unexpected ways,” said Burford.
Burford still looks back on the connections he made at Maine-Endwell for shaping the live he lives today. As someone who never stopped bleeding blue and gold, we couldn’t be more proud to have this 2003 grad back in Spartan Country once again. We thank Tim and all of our M-E veterans for their service.