In a time long ago, in a place not far away, at age 12, I had a weekend of many firsts. I went on my first real field trip to the beach. An entire weekend with my class mates, could you believe it!? I was scared out of my mind. I didn’t know what to pack and I’m surprised my toothbrush made it there with me. This is where I also got my first camera, a waterproof disposable Kodak! I had an awesome time traveling the beach, learning all about the creatures that lived on, in and near it. And of course you bet I was the touristic type snapping photos at every turn to capture each moment. I remember specifically a blueish crab about the size of my hand with one ginormous pincher! It was getting late in the day but I took the picture anyway. Oh man, I couldn’t wait to get home and show my dad all the cool things I got to see.
…But wait, what’s this? I just got the pictures back from Eckerds and most of them are so dark you can’t make anything out. What happened?!
This was my first encounter with lighting issues and I just had to figure out what was going on. And so the start of my photographic journey began.
I went through several artistic venues between then and now, but no matter what photography always called out to me. I absolutely love being behind the camera and peeking into that viewfinder, finding the perfect angle. I often challenge myself and try to reinvent new ways to look at ‘the ordinary’. Some people think that they themselves look ordinary, and I’ll contradict them by giving them their perfect portrait. Other people think that an old tree looks dilapidated, and I’ll show them how it magnificently it lives.
And so in 2004 I started my professional photography and continue to reinvent myself and my photography as each day goes on.
