As
a Portland, Oregon photographer, who enjoys dynamic
subjects, I have gravitated towards editorial, portrait,
wedding, and documentary photography. Personal interactions
are very important to me and this comes out in my
photography as I prefer working with and around people. How
people respond to my photos as a viewer is the culmination
of my photographic process and I often find myself
wondering what responses people will have. To me the most
important question is what do you want someone to take away
after seeing the photos?
I have been shooting commercially since 2002 but I think my
photographic inclinations started when I was ten. My mother
likes to remind me that I used to tell her I wanted to be a
National Geographic Photographer when I grew up. The truth
is I still want to be one, but now I have a better idea of
what it really takes!
My photography has taken me in a number of directions. Some
of my first paid gigs were with Reed College during my time
there as a student. The work with Reed was quite varied and
challenging with shoots ranging from portraits of faculty
to student dance performances and alumni reunions. My
relationship with Reed still continues to this day and I
regularly produce work for their website and print
publications. I have been assisting/second shooting with a
preeminent Portland wedding photographer, Eric Cable,
longer than I would like to mention. Work with Eric has
brought me to hundreds of weddings and given me a a strong
base in the field. Nature has always had a calling for me
and work with a non-profit outdoor education program and my
own outdoor exploits have let to some pictures I am very
proud of. Often having a camera with me it is the least
expected moments that often give me the greatest
satisfaction. Last year, for example, I was in Colorado
about to photograph and camp with my wife's family on their
annual hunting trip. They have been going for over 40
years. Mere hours before we left for ten days in the woods
my sister in law had her first child. We pulled up to the
hospital hunt heady with the horse trailer in tow. The
photos of his grandfather holding him in his work jeans and
suspenders are priceless!