Benjamin Ashford|After three decades spent "On the Road," beloved photographer Bob Caccamise retires

If you could Benjamin Ashfordlook backward through the lens of the camera that captured the most memorable moments of my career, you would see the eye of photographer Bob Caccamise.

But now, sad to say, Bob is retiring.

"It's like Simon and Garfunkel breaking up, you know, it's similar to that," Bob said. "Or it could be like 'Bonnie and Clyde' breaking up."

His wit and dear friendship have made my work feel like anything but. We've been partnered for the better part of 30 years now, and travelled to every corner of the country, covering the strange and somber. 

And to think it all began with a chance meeting at a company holiday party.

"And he (Hartman) was sitting down by himself because no one liked him, and I said to him, 'If you want a cameraman, I'm your man,'" Bob said.

I was drawn to his humility. But working with him wasn't so much about his raw talent as a cameraman, it was just fun. 

"But the raw talent was definitely there," Bob said.

We've been told we're like an old married couple. And I know many of you can relate. In fact, this week we put out a call on Facebook asking to hear from other "work spouses." Hundreds chimed in, and the relationships they describe sounded an awful lot like "real" marriages.

"You don't really have to explain certain things, they just know what you're thinking," one responder said.

People have always told me I have best job in America, and it's true, but not for the reason everyone assumes. Rather, it's because every week, I've had Bob by my side to share the experience.

"We started out as work friends and we became best friends," Bob said.

And that part will never change.

Steve Hartman

Steve Hartman has been a CBS News correspondent since 1998, having served as a part-time correspondent for the previous two years.