Who was Glenn W. Hoffman? The Story Behind the Cards

Glenn W. Hoffman was a visionary photographer, artist, and creative force whose work touched people in ways he never fully knew. From canvases to cameras, now to to cards.

And if you take nothing else away from his story, it's this:

You'll never truly know the impact your life may have while you're in the midst of it. Especially if you're "just" doing what you love. And doing it with passion. 

This topline is from someone who lived firsthand the impact of this one-of-a-kind creative spirit, from the earliest days of his success...

.

Professionally, Glenn was a true Creative through and through. A “Renaissance Man” who lived with gusto and reached amazing career heights through his unassuming, but unique talent and style. One that simply commanded attention without asking.

From super humble beginnings, he excelled at the prestigious Pratt Institute (’68) and worked tirelessly 24/7 to become a successful Madison Avenue Creative Director at the start. (Think Mad Men episodes, which Glenn did confirm were damn accurate portrayals of the Life and Times!)

(If only the young Mad Men / Madison Avenue wunderkind knew then what he'd become!)

His fierce independence and intolerance for ”rules” led him to build his own successful namesake marketing agency in Connecticut, just outside of the NYC Advertising Mecca. Active for over 35 years, it was one that I was initially honored to work with as a client, then work for, then eventually co-own and run with him. He was the creative engine that drove it all, and welcomed those who shared his creative spirit and his fire.

He spearheaded award-winning results and changed the business trajectories of some of the biggest brands nationwide that everyone knew and loved – a realllly long list. (One he would challenge me to remember when asked, “So, did you work on anything famous? The answer? HINT “Ohh, Yeahhh!”)

Personally, he was also a masterful painter, a sculptor, sketch artist and amazing “creator of places and spaces.” (Because ohhh the homes he helped mastermind!) But his passion was photography!

His down-to-earth, human way of seeing the world through his camera lens – and also his own personal “life lens” – created not only stunning, but emotionally-evocative photographs. Photographs that now form the basis of every card we offer ... Well, except for those that feature his beautiful paintings!

Glenn succeeded because human emotion was at the very heart of his creative work! He ENVISIONED with his heart. He SAW with is heart. He DESIGNED with his heart.

And he PHOTOGRAPHED his heart.

So after he changed his address to Heaven, I had to ask, where else would that work do more GOOD than on cards created specifically FOR human emotions?

I won’t hide the truth. I miss him dreadfully. Every day. But I love seeing him come to life again in everything Thru Glenn’s Lens... in cards, in travel gifts, in stunning frameable prints that bring beauty to the home (his specialty) and more!

His spirit is absolutely ALIVE in everything about this company! And his beautiful legacy lives on with every purchase.

(Thank you B. and C, for honoring Glenn in your beautiful homes!)

So remember him when you shop or when you donate to our scholarships. Celebrate his creativity. Celebrate everyone with the courage and passion to go for their dreams. Enjoy the items we offer. Share, OFTEN. And enjoy reading more about him here.

Thank you for taking your time to read this – he's astounded, I'm humbled, and we're both super grateful.

Cheers!