05/20/2026
For many of us who came up shooting film in Nashville back when Dury’s and Chromatics were part of our weekly routine, Michael Borum was simply part of the foundation. He built more than a lab — he helped build a photography community.
Michael ran Chromatics with a level of excellence that photographers all over the country respected. He was also a talented photographer himself, but what many of us remember most was his kindness. Back when I was just getting started and didn’t have much to my name, Michael extended me credit so I could keep shooting and get my film processed. That kind of belief in young photographers mattered more than he probably ever realized.
Right now, Michael is in the ICU and very sick. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, I’ll simply ask that you keep Michael, Linda, Molly, and their family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
For a lot of us, Michael was one of those people who quietly helped hold the photography world together back in the day. And that’s not something you forget.
