Photography. One of my first passions! I still remember the moment I realized I wanted to be a photographer. In 7th grade, walking through the hallway to my next class mesmerized by the photos on the wall. I remember thinking, “That is what I want to do when I grow up!” Fast forward twenty-five years and here we are.

My late father was a hobbyist photographer, traveling the Western Great Lakes states capturing trains and railcars - He was also a serious model railroader. I traveled with him on many occasions, I vividly remember walking up and down the side of the tracks carrying his camera bag, and our snacks, listening to his stories about growing up on Lake Superior. These are some of my fondest memories that I cherish to this day.

At the ripe young age of nine, I was gifted my first camera - An I-Zone instant film camera! Yes, it was a simple toy but to me, it was my prized possession. I took photos of everything and used the film cartridges like they were free (much to my parent’s dismay). Soon my father recognized my passion was serious and growing. He presented me with his camera, a Minolta Maxxumm 400Si, and some lenses he purchased for it years before. I felt like I had won the lottery, and realized I had much to learn.

I worked through countless rolls of film, always eager to take them to the camera store to develop them and see the photos from that week’s adventure. At the time the only camera store in our area was a Wolf Camera, for those who remember way back when. I began learning more about photography and the process behind crafting images. Over the years, I stuck with it, eventually taking photography classes in college to expand my understanding of the art.

In college, I was introduced to the darkroom and could print my images. By this time I had a job and a car, and I spent most of my paychecks solely on fuel, film, and paper. I can’t tell you how many hours I spent in the darkroom. It was open on weekends and there were more than a few where I only came out to eat or use the restroom. The smell of the chemicals, the hum of the red light, the glow of the enlarger. So many great memories. A photographer was born.

In time I branched out and looked into digital, obtaining my first digital camera in 2010, a Sony A300. Suddenly I could see the image before I shot it. It was a monumental moment in my journey! I started capturing more than I ever had before. Taking photos before and after class, after work, and whenever I had free time. The art of film photography was not lost on me, however, and although I no longer had a 36-shot limit, I was still very conscious about the images I was taking and how I was approaching scenes.

What you see on my website is the culmination of thousands of hours of failing, learning, and trying again. My hope in sharing my work and experience as a photographer here and on social media platforms is simply this - To be the person I needed when I started my journey. I hope that in some way my work, story, and experience help you on your journey, too.