My Journey

Long before the first light reaches the horizon, I’m already studying the landscape—looking for leading lines, watching the weather, listening to the sounds around me, and imagining how everything might come together. Then, once I’ve found the composition, I simply wait. Those quiet moments, surrounded by nature and free from the distractions of everyday life, are where I feel most at home.

Photography has become my creative escape, but it’s also become my way of slowing down, paying attention, and sharing the incredible world that exists all around us.

My journey behind the camera began in portrait photography. For nearly two decades, I specialized in creating high school senior portraits and helping families capture important milestones in their lives. It was an incredibly rewarding chapter, but over time I realized that the moments I looked forward to most weren’t inside the studio—they were the weekends spent chasing waterfalls, hiking mountain trails, exploring new landscapes, and quietly observing wildlife.

When my wife and I moved from Iowa to the mountains of North Georgia, it felt like the perfect opportunity to begin a new chapter. Rather than rebuilding a portrait business, I chose to pursue the kind of photography that had always inspired me most. It wasn’t simply a change in subject matter—it was a chance to reconnect with why I first picked up a camera.

Today you’ll most often find me exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, wandering through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, photographing sunrises over Lake Lanier, or traveling in search of unforgettable landscapes and wildlife encounters. Every location offers something different, and that’s part of what keeps photography endlessly exciting to me. One day I may be photographing the Milky Way over a mountain lake, and the next I’m quietly watching a family of bears or waiting for the morning light to reach a hidden waterfall.

Why I Photograph

Some of my favorite memories have little to do with the photographs themselves.

Standing on the coast of Alaska, I watched young bear cubs emerge into the world, cautiously exploring their surroundings while older yearlings wrestled and played nearby, learning the skills they would soon need on their own. Snow-covered mountains stretched across the horizon, but what stayed with me wasn’t a single image—it was witnessing those moments unfold naturally. Experiences like that remind me that photography isn’t only about creating beautiful photographs. It’s about paying attention, slowing down, and appreciating moments that many people never have the opportunity to see.

The best photographs don’t just remind us what a place looked like – they remind us how it felt to be there.

That’s the kind of image I hope to create. One that tells a story, captures an experience, and inspires others to slow down and appreciate the incredible world around them.

If there’s one thing I hope my photography accomplishes, it’s encouraging others to develop a deeper appreciation for wildlife and the natural world. Every image tells a story, and I love sharing not only the final photograph but also the behavior, conditions, planning, and experiences that made it possible. Sometimes the story behind an image is every bit as meaningful as the photograph itself.

Looking Ahead

One of my biggest goals is to help others experience that same sense of wonder. Whether it’s leading local outings, destination workshops, mentoring fellow photographers, or simply sharing what I’ve learned through articles and conversations, I hope to create experiences where people leave with more than great photographs. I want them to leave with new skills, greater confidence, lasting friendships, and a deeper respect for the places and wildlife we’ve explored together.

The photographers I’ve admired most throughout my journey have never been defined solely by their images. They’re remembered because they generously shared their knowledge, cared about the people around them, and inspired others to see the world differently. That’s the kind of photographer – and person – I hope to become.

Whether you’re here to browse my galleries, learn something new, follow along on future adventures, or simply enjoy the beauty of the natural world, I’m grateful you stopped by.

I hope my photographs inspire you to slow down, spend a little more time outdoors, and discover the extraordinary moments waiting just beyond the next bend in the trail.

Beyond the Camera

A few things that make me smile…

• Quiet mornings before sunrise, listening to nature.
• Planning adventures (almost as much as taking them).
• Watching wildlife simply be wild.
• Learning something new every time I step outdoors.
• Helping another photographer create an image they’re proud of.
• Coming home with unforgettable memories – even on days when I never press the shutter.

Along the Way

One of the most rewarding parts of photography has been connecting with other photographers. Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to learn from generous mentors, and I enjoy paying that forward whenever I can.

Organizations

• Georgia Nature Photographers Association (GNPA)
• North Georgia Photography Club (NGPC)
• Cobb Photographic Society (CPS)

Education & Mentoring

• Served on the NGPC Board, helping organize and lead the club’s weekly photography challenges.
• Regularly provided image critiques, explaining composition, storytelling, editing choices, and why an image stood out—not simply selecting a winner, but helping other photographers continue to grow.
• Co-presented a live online image critique, reviewing member submissions and demonstrating editing techniques while discussing ways to strengthen each photograph.

Exhibitions

• Dubuque Museum of Art
• Chattahoochee Nature Center
• The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning

Recognition

• 2nd Place — GNPA Double Vision Competition (2024)
• 3rd Place — GNPA Double Vision Competition (2023)

Continuing the Journey

I’m always learning. Whether it’s refining my landscape compositions, studying wildlife behavior, exploring new editing techniques, or visiting places I’ve only dreamed about, I believe the best photographers never stop being students.

Currently Chasing

Photography is a lifelong journey, and there’s always something new pulling me outdoors. These are the adventures, ideas, and experiences I’m most excited about right now.

• Milky Way season – spending late nights under dark skies, creating new astrophotography images and enjoying the quiet that only comes after midnight.
• The arrival of fall – my favorite time of year, when cooler mornings, changing leaves, and dramatic light transform familiar places into something completely new.
• Planning my next adventure – researching future photography trips to Death Valley and another journey back to Iceland, two places that continue to inspire me in very different ways.
• Growing as both a photographer and educator  – continuing to learn, refine my craft, and prepare for the day I can share these experiences through workshops and mentoring.

Behind the Lens