I am a Pacific Northwest native for whom photography has become a personal obsession. My photography experience includes portraiture, wedding, commercial, stock, and natural world imagery. My primary focus today is on portraiture, which I have been studying and practicing in earnest for some years. I love helping people preserve their precious family memories through photography. It is a blessing to serve families in this way. I look forward to each photo session as a chance to produce photos that are worthy of large framed prints to be proudly displayed and cherished for generations.

My earliest memory with a camera is taking my mother's Kodak Brownie camera on an elementary school field trip to the zoo. That camera has been passed down to me and currently resides in my office. Nearly the whole roll of film was of the penguins, my first thematic study. The first camera I ever owned is a Continental miniature, a gift from my father when I was young. He had bought it in Japan when in the service. I still have this little jewel. The next camera I bought mail order by myself, a plastic, toy-like, 120 format plastic camera similar to the Helga that is still sold today. My first real camera was a 35mm Yashica with a wonderfully sharp lens, that was given to me by my father in the mid 1970s. He was an amateur photographer and had taken many fine photos with it for several years beforehand.

I entered the digital revolution in 2001 and have not turned back. I have gone through a succession of digital cameras from Olympus and Minolta, and Canon. In 2002 I began experimenting with using an off camera flash that started a foray into studio portraiture and an expensive equipment habit that cannot be kicked. Since then I have purchased lighting gear for both location work and for the studio. I have attended seminars with photography leaders like the late Monte Zucker, David Ziser, Clay Blackmore, and Jane Conner-Ziser. I have studied the best books available on lighting, portraiture, and weddings, and have sorted through dozens of books on retouching so as to have a thorough knowledge. Of course, practice makes perfect, so there have been many photo sessions to develop the art. I regularly submit my work for peer review and am an active member of professional photography forums.

I use lighting to create mood and emphasize the emotional content of your photographs. Retouching adds a collection of subtle influences that complete my vision and takes the photo to the next level. I do not trust retouching to a lab. Your photographs will have my personal touch and techniques. It takes more time and care, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Because you have seen my work on this website, or on facebook, or perhaps hanging in someone's home, and this is the kind of photography you want for your family. Because you have heard how my photo sessions are relaxed and professional. Because I will go the extra mile to ensure satisfaction. I look forward to being  your family photographer, please call or email for an appointment.