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Brian Kanof Biography

The Beginning

He learned his photography from Mauro Cotta, one of the original 1960s La Dolce Vita Paparazzi, in Rome. Cotta instilled his work ethic and photo philosophy in Kanof: "The camera does not know the difference. Only you know. When the telephone rings, the answer is always yes. If you don't know, study and learn."

Education

Brian Kanof has a BA (UTEP) and an MA (Ball State) in Journalism and has taught Photography, Photojournalism, Video, Advertising and Public Relations at several colleges and universities. In 1985, he established Brian Kanof Photography and expanded into Commercial, Architectural and Aerial Photography.

Career Accomplishments

Brian Kanof is a career photojournalist and is a member of PAPA (Professional Aerial Photographers Assn. International). He was the Official Photographer of the Sun Bowl Association since 1967, and has been inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame (Photojournalist). He also has over 30 album/CD covers to his credit.

Career Accomplishments

Brian's career portfolio includes well-known affiliations and accomplishments..

• Earned a BA (UTEP) and an MA (Ball State) in Journalism.
• A member of PAPA (Professional Aerial Photographers Association International).
• Worked as the official photographer of the Sun Bowl Association (since 1967).
• Inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame.
• Hired as an aerial photographer for Pope Francis when he spoke to a crowd of 200,000 people in Ciudad Juárez Mexico, February 17th 2016.
• Served as a Reserve Officer in the U.S. Army for seven years as a Green Beret, receiving his commission in 1971.
• Chosen as the conference chairman of the annual gathering of the Green Berets.
• Has over 30 album and CD covers to his credit.

Military

Major Brian N. Kanof is a retired Army Officer and Disabled Veteran. He served as a Reserve Officer in the U.S. Army after receiving his commission through the ROTC program at the University of Texas at El Paso in 1971. His experience as a Reserve Officer allowed him to do two 3 week deployments to Korea in 1978 and 1985, helping to build and operate a petroleum pipeline in South Korea. His experiences offer an interesting vantage point into the co-operation between the US Army, South Korean Army, and the South Korean people.

He spent his last seven years in the Army Reserve as a Green Beret and is active in numerous Veteran's organizations. Read more »

El Paso is occasionally chosen to host the annual gathering of the Green Berets. Chapter IX member Brian Kanof was asked to organize a small research group that would explore the possibilities of hosting the conference. Kanof is now the conference chairman.

Update

Brian Kanof passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026 due to his battle with cancer. He was accompanied by his family and friends and will be remembered forever by all those who knew him and loved him. Brian moved to El Paso with his family upon his Father being stationed at Ft. Bliss in 1957 and then Rome, Italy in 1964.

Major Brian N. Kanof (Ret) was born in Portsmouth, VA on May 18, 1949 to Elsie Rawlson and Irving Lee Kanof.