I grew up in Winston-Salem and became interested in photography as a young boy due to the influence of my father who was found often with his Rolleiflex camera around his neck. Early on dad allowed me to use a Kodak Instamatic camera and there was just something I loved about creating an image and getting the print back a few days later from the local camera store. While my early results left a lot to be desired, the photography bug had bitten me.

As a teenager I got my hands on my first real camera, a Minolta SRT 201 which I used all through high school and college. My brother and I learned how to develop our own black and white images and much to my father’s disappointment, we turned part of the basement into our darkroom. I soon learned there was nothing quite like holding a finished print in my hand that I had created on my own. As I grew older and started a family I sat the camera down for a while and focused on my family and building my financial planning practice. While I did still take photos it was mostly quick family snapshots.

As the kids left home and the business matured it allowed me more time to return to my love of photography. I decided I really wanted to learn how to use these new cameras that are more like computers these days. I have always been a lifelong learner and I enjoyed learning all I could about improving my skills from shooting to editing and printing.

What I really enjoy about photography is spending time out in nature embracing the beauty of creation and traveling to new and exciting places. Photography has brought me an entirely new circle of friends who share my passion of exploring and creating. I have enjoyed taking workshops from many great instructors who have influenced my work and allowed me to travel to places I would have never visited.

My primary interests are spending time in the landscape. There is nothing more enjoyable to me than getting up in the predawn hours, traveling to some remote location, hiking a trail and waiting to watch the start of a new day. Getting a wonderful image is a nice reward but I’ve learned it’s all about the journey. I also enjoy spending time shooting on the streets and meeting interesting people. Both genres intrigue and challenge me to learn and improve.

At the end of the day for me it’s all about the journey I’m on. Photography gives me a way to honor my dad and feel close to him and hopefully share the beauty of creation with those who view my images.