Photographs tell a story, not with words, but with the use of the emotion experienced by the interpreter. I love telling stories but, on the best day, I catch the unexpected: I capture a glimpse of someone's soul. It is always a fleeting moment but when you are able to freeze it on film, it is amazing! Passion comes in many forms and to find it in a vocation is transforming. That is how I feel about photography.
As a documentary photographer you are always looking to speak through an image. It is not enough to simply show the visible, you use the viable to tell of what is unseen. Most often the real subject is not visible at all. Most often the real subject of a photograph is an emotion felt by the interpreter. I want the viewer to see not just the subject but also the essence of the subject. The images must speak, they can shout or whisper but they have to speak.
I am beginning work on a new project exploring the emotion, which drives us to our life’s work and is called “Passion Play, The Passion behind Songwriters and Musicians”. This project focuses on those of us who make music, but passion can be found in all of us no matter what vocation we choose. Musicians just seem to wear their passion for all to see and they are continually putting their most private memories and experiences out there for us to judge. Although that is tough to handle, their passion drives them on anyway.
Making images of artists is simply amazing. It is like a window into a window. Musicians are complex beings with a lot to say even if they really don’t want to say anything; they just can’t help it. Band photos have to have style, personality and edge. They need, not only, to reflect the members of the band and the music they create but they also have to catch your eye, invoke questions, maybe even have shock value. This subject matter has, by nature, some of the best fodder for storytelling.
When I do portrait work it is free flowing and casual. My goal is to create a picture that tells your story to future generations. It is a window into the past telling other family members and friends who you were and how you saw the world. It becomes an extension of self. I do not try to create a photograph that is expected but one that is beautifully unexpected.
The best thing about photography is that it constantly reminds you that everything you see has beauty and value. Everything and everyone has the potential for greatness.
Professional Experience Education & Associations Further study and advanced workshops: Brooks Institute of Photography, CA. Professional Development in Photography Certificate: New York Institute of Photography, NY Graduate Work in Educational Psychology: Ca. State Northridge, CA. Fine Arts Study: Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology/Illustration: UC Santa Cruz, CA Member International Photography Association 2003- current Member Workbook 2003-current Member APA 2002-current
Published Work & Awards: International Photography Award, Honorable Mention, 2004 for photographs slated for “Passion Play: The Passion of Songwriters and musicians” Publication of award and work in the 2004 Annual IPA Book Published in the spring of 2004 as a collective work titled The Colors of Life (library of Congress ISBN-0-7951-5227-2) Published Photographs in Mothering Magazine, 2002-current Published Photographs in Santa Barbara Family Life Magazine, 2004 Published “Memory Gardens” Article in Santa Barbara Family Life, 2004 Current project: Passion Play: The Passion of Songwriters and Musicians
Relevant Career History Writer/Photographer: 1989-current, Jackson, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura CA, Milwaukee WI & Chicago IL Freelance writer with most current work a collective work titled: Colors of Life, Library of Congress ISBN-0-7951-5227-2, as well as, various articles for magazines
Photographer/Art Direction: snapdragon photography studios 1997-current, Jackson, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura CA, Milwaukee WI & Chicago IL Freelance Documentary Photographer as well as Children’s Portraiture, Wedding, Commercial, Fine Art Photography
Photographer/ Art Direction: ArcherInk, 2002- 2005 Santa Barbara, CA. T-shirt Design, Graphic Design, Photographer, Photography Direction, Photoshop Touch Up and Restoration, Web Design, Catalog Design, and Greeting Card Design
Recent & Current Showings: Riverwest Co-op Feb 2009, Milwaukee WI Starbucks on Downer, Milwaukee WI Bikes for Rwanda 2008 Oakland CA The Space 2008 Oakland CA Seeing the Elephant 2007 Ventura CA Seeing the Elephant 2006 Jackson CA
Why I am a photographer: