Truth be told, if you would have told me 30 years ago that I would be a small business owner and that business would be luxury color portrait and fine art black and white photographer, I would have looked you straight in the face and laughed at both suggestions!  Thirty years ago I was trying to survive engineering school and planned on living the dream as a mechanical engineer working in some kind of industrial environment—I mean that's what the dream was for an engineering student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in the early 1990's. I gotta say school was hard for me, but COLLEGE, COLLEGE was very, very good to me.

After having a great time in college and successfully obtaining my ME degree, I headed to Valdez, Alaska and went to work as an engineer on the Alaska Pipeline. It was living the dream!  But, alas, there was not much to do in Valdez, so I decided to take a course called an Introduction to Black and White Photography.  I thought maybe there would be some girls that might be attending that class - and sadly there weren't, but I did find the love of my life - PHOTOGRAPHY!  It would take me 5 more years to find my soulmate, Molly.

I was immediately hooked on seeing a print come to life in the developer tray and knew at that time I would eventually work as a photographer.  It has been my passion since that first exposure. I live and breathe photography.  My wife has endured conversations about photography from our first conversation up to and including one today—and if you are reading this on multiple different days you can be assured we have had a discussion in the past 24 hours about photography.  It's that passion that I bring to every client I work with or class I teach. All the experiences I've had in the past 25 years or so go into producing that next photograph, and that photograph of you will be the best I've ever created at the time!

What goes into a great photograph other than my passion? Well, it is also the time and attention I personally give to each client—from discussing wardrobe, location, expectations, final presentations, and budget.  We do all of that when we meet in my 400 sq home based studio.  

Having a luxury heirloom portrait commissioned is not just about showing up at a park chasing you and your kids around hoping we get something and then never seeing each other again.  My philosophy is you are interested in the the work I make, I want to meet you and plan what we are going to produce together, that will have pleasing posing, clothing choices that make sense, lighting that has personality & character, a story to be told to the viewers who are in its presence, and a timeless quality that will be a center of interest in any home or office!  My job is to walk you through this process, help you identify appropriate print sizes, and deliver the highest quality available in a fun and enjoyable process.  In fact I guarantee all my work to your satisfaction or I'll invite you back for another session on me!

I am constantly working on my craft, seeking continued educational, having my work evaluated by jurors of my peers and I am actively involved in the industry of Professional Photography on a national level by teaching other professionals the art of professional photography.  If you are interested in commissioning a portrait by a Master Photographer, Master Artist, Photographic Craftsman, and Certified Professional Photographer, please enter your contact information or give me a call to schedule a time to meet.  I look forward to working with you! 

I'm pleased to serve the members of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) as a Director on their National Board, and for 2024 on the Executive Committee as its Treasurer.  It is an honor and privilege to work with some of the most talented and giving group of small business owners to vision and guide the worlds largest photographic association and work along side it's tremendously talented staff!