At 87, art photographer Robert Osborn doesn’t particularly care for the word “retired.”
He told Business Insider that the label doesn’t stick for him because he has continued working well beyond the time most people leave their jobs to retire.
The octogenarian from Livingston, Montana, his motto of “do you what you love, do it brilliantly and everthing else will take care of itself” has served him well because it’s kept him enthusiastic, and curious.
“Hopefully I’ve got another 10 years,” he said, “In fact, I’m counting on it. Maybe I’ll hit 100 and more.”
He offered advice on how to look back before you die and think, “You did good,”.
Here are three of his tips for a life well-lived.
Follow your passion
One Christmas, when Osborn was a teenager, his mom gifted him a Brownie Box camera and a darkroom kit.
He described how looking at beautiful things through the lens brought him a sense of calm and control.
“I still remember that first click of the camera,” he said. The moment led to a lifelong passion for photography.
It was initially a hobby while he worked in various fields, including as an engineer in the fire department and a magazine publisher, but it evolved into his main occupation.
He specializes in portraits of Native American Indians who live on reservations and cowboys.
Don’t measure success by wealth
Osborn said his high-flying career in magazines led to high earnings, and the first thing he did after making a significant amount of money was buy a Porsche.
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However, he said, the job was stressful. The long hours, combined with the strain of managing staff, took a toll.
“I’d be driving around in the coolest car, but if someone drew up beside me and looked through their window, they’d see one of the saddest men alive,” he said.
He decided he’d had enough, quit the magazine industry in 1988, and became a full-time, professional photographer.
Despite his earnings taking a major hit, Osborn said he has never been happier. He particularly enjoys being a quasi-grandfather to the two children of Rheanna Menges, who works as his framer and gallery manager.
“Friendships are essential in life,” he said.
Eat healthy, allow yourself treats, and keep your mind busy
Osborn watches his diet and, though he doesn’t formally classify it as such, does intermittent fasting.
He frequently eats one meal a day, usually a combination of salad and a protein such as chicken or fish. His favorite dish is Crab Louis — shellfish tossed in Thousand Island dressing.
On Sundays, he’ll treat himself to anything he wants.
He usually limits his alcohol intake to two glasses of wine a day to accompany a meal. “I follow doctor’s orders,” he said.
His fitness regimen involves 45 minutes to an hour of cardio and strength training at home, using barbells and a weight machine to maintain muscle.
Meanwhile, his most important recommendation is to stay creative. It’s tied not only to his photography but also to his love of music. He plays the banjo, guitar, and harmonica.
“There’s a direct correlation between art, music, and cognition,” he said. “I exercise my brain as much as my body.”
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