Photography has been part of my life for more than six decades.
I was born in 1958 in Tillamook, Oregon, and grew up in nearby McMinnville. My first camera—a Kodak Brownie given to me by my grandmother—sparked a fascination with photography when I was eight years old. That simple gift began a lifelong pursuit of documenting the world around me.
In 1977, I enlisted in the United States Army, where I served for 22 years as both a leader and instructor. During assignments in Germany, I spent countless hours in military darkrooms refining my craft. It was there that I first studied traditional black-and-white printing techniques inspired by Ansel Adams, learning the art of dodging, burning, and creating expressive monochrome prints.
Following my retirement from the Army in 2001, I completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts at Saint Martin's University, graduating with honors in 2005.
For the next 18 years, I worked as an Art Specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, helping more than 3,000 veterans use art and photography as part of their recovery from substance abuse and mental health challenges. During that time, I also documented changes to the historic VA hospital campus—originally constructed in 1918—creating a photographic record that supported preservation and renovation efforts.
Those experiences shaped the direction of my photography today.
My work now focuses on historic architecture, cultural landscapes, documentary photography, and monochrome fine art. I believe photography is more than creating beautiful images; it is a way of preserving places, stories, and craftsmanship before they disappear.
Since joining the Tacoma Photographic Society in 2010, I have continued to develop my vision through competition, education, and collaboration with fellow photographers. Influences such as Adrian Vila and Mark Fearnley have encouraged me to simplify my compositions, embrace monochrome, and pursue a more intentional documentary style.
In 2026, I found what I call my "photographic eye." My work became more focused on creating images that are not only artistically compelling but also serve as lasting visual records of historic places and everyday moments that deserve to be remembered.
Today, I photograph with a Sony α7C II and continue to document architecture, historic sites, and communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
None of this journey would have been possible without the unwavering support of my wife, Julie, and the friendships and encouragement I have found through the Tacoma Photographic Society.
My goal is simple:
To preserve history—one photograph at a time.
I would also add a professional portrait of yourself at a historic location—perhaps the Meeker Mansion, Fort Vancouver, or another preservation site—rather than a casual headshot. That single image would reinforce the story you're telling.
One additional thought: since we've been talking about your transition toward preservation photography, I'd remove the heading "Breakout Year." Instead, end with a short statement about your mission. Visitors are more likely to remember why you photograph than when you started winning competitions. That reinforces the direction you're taking with your website and brand.