I was born in the plains of South Dakota and developed a love for the environment and open spaces. After attending South Dakota State University I found my calling for photography and design. In 1994 I graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver with a degree in Commercial Photography. I developed a love for fine art portraiture and had a number of traveling fine art exhibitions, most notably was the, “Portraits of a Community” series which gained local attention and profiled various characters in the Denver area.
Always an avid outdoorsman.
I accepted a photojournalism position at the Vail Trail Newspaper. Over the course of 5 years, I covered various activities from sports action to editorial features. My photographs have appeared in, The Village Voice, People Magazine, Ski Magazine, Mother Jones Magazine and was represented by Gamma-Liazon Photo Agency of New York. Commercial clients include: Oxygen Snowboards, Atomic Ski Company, Milka Chocolate, Vail Associates and Boardriders Club of Vail.
After photographing the 1999 World Championships in Vail I left Colorado to work for XRX Publishing Inc. as a fashion photographer and pre-press production manager. Responsibilities included; delegating duties to staff and traveling extensively for on location photo-shoots to New York, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. While at XRX, I developed my advanced digital imaging techniques and design abilities.
I also played an integral part with the early graphic design and photography development for American Apparel, a t-shirt company based out of Los Angeles. During my time in LA I explored a more urban style of photography and re-discovered a love for the ocean.
In 2002 I packed my bags and moved to Sedona, AZ and to date have photographed well over 1000 weddings and events.
Wedding photography has allowed me the opportunity to refine my photographic composition and lighting skills as well as subject direction. Being able to “see” light and anticipating moments is something that I am very grateful for. I love bringing a journalistic approach to every wedding I cover and strive to find the unique moment in every situation.