I became interested in photography in grade school upon being given a “trick” black and white photo [circa 1970]. In the photo, two men are standing in a military radio/communication outpost (in this case, on the island of Guam). One man is pouring coffee into a cup (held with outstretched arm) by a second man. You could distinctly see the “pour” of the coffee from the pot into the cup creating a physical connection between the two men. However, both men in the photo were the same person! The fact that my brother “Will” was that person, made it all the more fascinating to me. Everything in and about that image was intriguing. Visits to the town library to read about photography ensued.
Later, in middle school industrial arts class, I selected photography when it was offered as an alternative to “metal working.” We had a darkroom and I really enjoyed developing my film and making prints to see if the vision I saw in my mind’s eye, could match the image that my camera produced. Later, a college course in photography and more practice (as my budget for film allowed). The hobby never stopped, but after college, without a dedicated darkroom, it progressed very slowly. Then, digital cameras entered the scene and everything changed. This advent, and the accompanying “digital darkroom,” coincided with the housing boom. I invested in a digital camera and started shooting (a lot). This led to a side gig shooting headshots for real estate agents, and that led to custom portraiture. Next, I meandered into a few stints doing photojournalistic work [including shooting an interview with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in his Washington, DC congressional office, and a portrait of a DC civic leader that was published and credited in Washingtonian magazine]. This was great practice (and a lot of fun) but when my primary career responsibilities grew, it left no time for a side business and I shuttered my tiny photography business.
Fast forward a decade or so, living in beautiful Okinawa, Japan, the urge to re-engage photography grew strong. I was fortunate to be surrounded by my wonderfully supportive family and several incredibly talented and encouraging photographer friends (Pete Leong, Shawn Miller, and Dr. Russell Gilbert). This was all unplanned, but the dynamic was welcomed, and it created a synergy that compelled me to once again actively pursue photography. Pete took me under his wing as an apprentice, which eventually lead me to starting yet another small photo business, this one in Japan, called Sugoi Photography, LLC. We were shooting custom portraits, events (military balls and proms), models, and small business photography (websites and advertising). For practice (and fun), I would shoot landscapes, wildlife, and underwater. One of my underwater photos was used by the Downtown Aquarium in Denver, Colorado as their identification photo of the Comet Fish (Calloplesiops altivelis), and another was featured in Nikon Magazine in Germany [Kitesurfer-Pierre]. Despite a promising business start (beginning to pay for the gear…), I did some soul searching and decided that after all, I preferred shooting leisurely vs. being in business, and wound down Sugoi Photography. Nowadays, I take on projects purely for the enjoyment of doing it. Regardless of being in business or not, my goal throughout has remained unchanged: to create images that the subject(s) will cherish (and with a little luck, become a family heirloom). For me, this is a lot of fun, and when I am successful, it provides a profound feeling of satisfaction and sense of fulfillment. So, all of this said, I am always on the lookout for people and things to shoot, so please contact me if you have a photo project in mind. Once again, thank you for stopping by. Cheers!
I am always behind the camera, but here are a few photos of me while out pursuing the shot.
Ever feel like you have a monkey on your back? Maybe you do! Bali, Indonesia
I don't remember why I was here, but I remember it being fun. - Okinawa, Japan
The colors! - Subic Bay, Philippines
Photographing feeding sharks - The Philippines
A different kind of shot - Cu Chi, Vietnam
Say hello to my little friends! East China Sea, Japan
That time I picked up a nuclear bomb (A deactivated Davy Crockett). THANK YOU EOD! - On a base, in a place.
Getting promo shots of humpback for a whale watching business - East China Sea, Japan
18hr shooting day (and still smiling)! - Taipei, Taiwan
Catching a lift on a False Killer Whale - The Philippines
Marathon shooting day in a magic land - Jiufen, Taiwan
It's like swimming with Sputnik! - The Philippines
Patriots - It was my honor and privilege to be the photographer of formal military balls on U.S. bases in Japan. These young men and women give of themselves selflessly for the benefit of all Americans.
Brave pier jumpers seeing photos of themselves. - Subic Bay, Philippines
Pre-wedding beach shoot- Wedding photography is downright hard work. Much respect to those who do this full-time. Okinawa, Japan
Family portrait project for inhabitants of a small village. - Gawad Kalinga, San Clemente, Philippines
Playful friend - The Philippines
Sunrise shorebreak - Sandy Beach, Oahu
Maeda Point, Okinawa, Japan
Testing light and studio set-up before a military ball. - Japan
Butler Officer's Club, MCB Camp Foster - Okinawa, Japan
One thing leads to another - A family portrait project leads to a successful book drive for these kids in their one-room school. - The Philippines