About me
As a young child, I would go out ‘shooting’ with my father, an amateur photographer, who helped me appreciate the elements of composition at an early age. I always loved photography but for a number of years it took a back seat to my full time job. After a career primarily using my ‘left brain’ in a wide variety of sales and marketing positions across the US at IBM, I decided to exercize my ‘right brain’ by devoting my energy to the arts and my long time passion of photography.
Because I am energized by being around creative people, I’m very active in the local arts community. For 7 years I served as Board President of the New Hampshire Art Association, a nonprofit organization of over 300 artists representing a wide variety of visual art mediums. I am a graduate of Leadership Seacoast, a program that encourages community engagement through exploration of local issues and personal leadership development. I also served on the Portsmouth Arts and Nonprofits Committee for 2 years and was co-chair of the committee to execute the Americans for the Arts study to quantify the impact of the arts and cultural nonprofits on the local economy.
To hone my photographic skills I’ve studyed at both the Maine Media Workshops + College and the Santa Fe Workshops, as well as attending numerous other workshops and classes. I have produced images for the Vermont Land Trust, the Alaska Raptor Center, and the Sitka Conservation Society. In addition, I worked for 5 years with National Geographic Traveler Magazine as an onsite events manager for weekend photography seminars across the US.
I am a juried exhibiting member of the New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA), Master Artist member of the Newburyport Art Association, member of the Seacoast Artist Association, the New Hampshire Society of Photographic Artists, the Kittery Art Association, and a former president and current board member of the Seacoast Camera Club. My work has been exhibited in galleries in CT, where I lived prior to NH, and I now regularly exhibit my work in galleries in New England. I have had several solo shows as well as participating in many group exhibits and have received numerous awards and recognition for my images both locally and internationally.
About my images
If you ask what type of subjects I prefer to photograph, the answer would be ‘all of them!’ I enjoy challenging myself with new projects so visit my website periodically to see my new work. For me, it is the challenge and thrill of creating a compelling image that excites me, no matter the subject.
Boatscapes
One of my most recognizable portfolios is called ‘Boatscapes.’ Although the pieces look like paintings, they are photographs of the details found on boat hulls when the boats are in dry dock. I can spend hours in marinas and boat yards searching for my subjects and identifying the places on the hulls where the markings from wear and tear produce interesting and colorful abstract images. The fun and challenge is to discover the 'landscapes' hidden on the hulls.
Garden Blossoms
Born out of my need to find a creative outlet during the last few pandemic years, flowers have became a strong area of interest. The closer you look, the more beauty can be found in the wide variety of colors and the subtle details of the petals. I am now hooked, and after some additional investment in lenses, I’m excited to continue to explore ways to capture their allure.
Birds
About 10 years ago, my town became the winter residence of a Snowy Owl. The owl was not only beautiful but surprisingly tolerant and even seemed to enjoy the company of the photographers with their long lenses. Many people begin photographing birds in their backyard, but I got my first taste of bird photography with this owl. Like people, birds have unique personalities. Some are tolerant and others are not. Learning to understand that and respect their need to hunt or nest, is mandatory in ethical wildlife photography. I moved from photographing Snowy Owls to other raptors and then to backyard birds, making some good friends along the way.
Impressions, ME and ICM
I have become increasingly interested in finding creative ways to capture the essence of my subjects. Techniques like Multiple Exposures (ME) and Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) enable me to do this. With ICM, I use the camera as a ‘brush’ to create impressionistic images through my movement of the camera while depressing the shutter. Different types and speeds of camera movements produce very different results. To take it even further I often combine multiple ICM images in camera to produce even more unique results. My goal is to go beyond capturing an image to creating something new that previously had been unseen.
Presidential Campaigns in NH
Upon moving to the First in the Nation Primary state of New Hampshire, I quickly bacame aware of the interest in the presidential campaigns and the excitement generated by being able to interact so intimately with the candidates. I knew it would be foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity. So, in spite of having no photojounalistic backgound, I ‘assigned’ myself the project of capturing the candidates on the campaign trail for the 2016 election. Planning my days around the candidate’s scheduled stops and competing with professionals to get the shots was hard work, requiring me to work fast and lose any hesitation to get up close and personal with my subjects. Being a glutton for punishment, I did it again for the 2020 campaign. Where’s the images from the 2024 campaign you might ask? I took a break!
