So…Who Am I?

Born in Milwaukee, WI and lived there when I was child...but not as a poor child. My family (along with myself) moved out to a smaller community west of Milwaukee when I was about 11 years old.

My journey into photography started when I was in high school or shortly afterwards. I purchased my first camera in 1978, I think it was. A Minolta SRT-202 (still have it). I learned all aspects of camera functions…how f/stops work, and shutter speeds, and ASA, depth of field, etc. I was photographing everything and anything (same thing) just to gain as much knowledge and experience as I can.

In 1980 I bought a really nice medium format camera to add to my small collection of gear, this was a Mamiya M645. I used this camera for all of my weddings up until around 2002, I think it was, when I sold it to get into digital.

One thing led to another and I found myself working full time for a portrait studio in S.E. Wisconsin. I continued my learning there as a portrait-wedding photographer. The studio had their own color darkroom and we processed all of our prints rather than sending them out to another lab. I spent most of my time there in that darkroom.

After 6 years of working there I ended up purchasing the studio as the previous owner retired from photography to pursue another career. This continued for about 9 years and then I decided to close the studio and work for a much larger studio in Milwaukee. I was employed as an associated photographer (just a big fancy title) and I also headed up the digital lab department.

16 years went by and that studio closed (I had NO interest in purchasing it) and I found myself back into working full time in another area that was NOT photography.

With my recent purchase (as of April 2023) Toyo Omega 45c 4x5 view camera

As of today...I still do photography and digital artwork/retouching. and mainly do freelance work. I do have a day job (nights actually) so there is less time to do what I loved for the past 30+ years.

Since I’m formally trained in portraiture I still photograph high school seniors, families, etc. I also do some photography consultations and continue to help young, upcoming photographers in lighting, posing and composition in their own portrait photography careers.

I also got back into film photography, of which I started in that from day one. It’s tedious work and allows you to slow down in your shooting style. With digital...we all go way too fast and we want results NOW! I’m venturing out into other styles of photography such as landscapes, environmental, macro, product, astro-photography, etc. As long as I can function as a normal human being, I will photograph until I physically can’t anymore.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

FAQs

  • That’s like telling a carpenter you love the houses they build so they must have a nice hammer.
    A camera really is just a tool that you create your photography with. Lighting, composition and proper exposure comes from the photographer. I can create great images with just a smartphone, if need to.

  • Mostly Canon. I also use film cameras from Canon, Minolta, Nikon and Mamiya.

    Lately I’ve been involved with large format cameras from Toyo-Omega and Graphic View

  • I started shortly after high school. Photographed my first wedding in 1980. In total, about 45 years.

  • I do not anymore. I’ve probably photographed roughly over 400 weddings in my lifetime. It’s possible I may offer formal wedding coverage at some point.

  • Generally “imaging” covers photography, video and image enhancing. It all has to do with images.

    It also means “I’m Aging”…which I am.

  • I can do a “One-on-One Consultation” with you if you wish. I do offer anything from beginners who are new cameras (not smartphones) all the way to lighting and posing techniques for advanced users.

    Send me an email and we can talk.