Me, The Photographer

Before photography, my professional life led me to many and varied paths.  Immediately after high school I was a machinist at a now-defunct factory, then Caterpillar Tractor Company before a resurgently sour economy led me to an Air Force recruiter’s office.  My first enlistment took me to my first occupational love – firefighting.  But mine was not to settle there.  I went on to four other occupational changes and earned four associate degrees in my 23-year Air Force career (Fire Science, Instructional Methodology, Personnel Administration, and Paralegal).  My second career was in contract security for the Federal Government.  While it had its rewarding periods and I met lots of great people, it was my least favorite occupation.  After retiring in March 2021, I found more unoccupied time than ever in my entire life.  Well, except, perhaps, my first few years of life, but I don’t remember much of that.  So, now I’m led to my third career (not certain that’s the right word…passion, maybe) – the art of photography.

Art has been an important part of my entire life.  It started with comic books, but that’s a story in itself.  I’ve dabbled in various media starting with pencil, tracing those comic book heroes.  Along the way, I continued using pencil and tried charcoal, oils, acrylics, even Kodak film.  I started experimenting with a camera when I was a tweenager.  At the time, my sister, Janet, was taking a photography class in high school.  I got my hands on a very old 35mm film camera that was originally my grandfather’s.  I have no idea what make or model it was.  I wish I still had it.  I even remember (however vaguely) developing a roll of black & white film in my bedroom closet (canister and chemicals, courtesy of sister Janet).  I don’t remember what I shot, but whatever it was, my exposure was probably off and half were likely softly focused, but I captured them!  So cool!

Over the years, I continued to take photos, but never did any more developing.  I used the convenient pre-digital, photo-developing services of the time. After many military moves and a few unfortunate events, most of those photos, including all those I took with that old camera , I regret are forever lost.

Fast forward to January 2022, nine months after my retirement, and coordinating a family reunion in Illinois.  I hoped to get a photo of all the family members who were able to attend.  So, I contacted an Illinois photographer who my daughter hired a few years earlier for photos of me, my four children and my granddaughter.  Unfortunately, she was already booked.  Then I thought, “I could take that photo.”  A couple years and a portion of my children’s inheritance later, I’m into what is now my third career.  In those first couple years, I studied all aspects of photography, became a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and its Virginia affiliate (VPPA).  After many hours of study and practice, with the help of my new friends in the VPPA and through the PPA, I earned the right to be called a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) and here I am for you, hoping to help you create treasured family memorabilia in the photographic form.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t emphasize my regret mentioned earlier – the loss of so many photos – I’m saddened I don’t have more photos of me and my family.  They are, by far, the most important part of my life.  I’d bet you feel the same.  

So, final thought, make sure you don’t have the same regret.  Take photos often.  They are key to preserving memories and if you’d like cherished memories to hang on your wall or show in an album, even just to post on social media, hire a professional photographer.  I’d love the opportunity and the honor of being your photographer.  Nothing would please me more than providing you with those treasures.  Interested?  Contact me.