I first picked up a film camera in 1979 while attending high school. I had enrolled in Introduction to Photography where I learned all about camera settings, composition, film development, and printing with an enlarger. As much as I enjoyed the class, it would take another 40 years to spark the passion.

In 1988, I accepted an Assistant Golf Professional position in the San Clemente area. I loved the proximity to the beaches, mountains, and perfect weather. This meant year-round golf for me and no more winters. Sadly, after a little more than a year, it was time to move on to my next position 3,000 miles away. Throughout my career I worked in several different states before returning to Oklahoma where I had grown up and currently reside. California, however, was the only place that truly felt like home so every year I would take a road trip out west via Route 66. This was my escape and time to reflect on the past and the future. I knew one day this would be an important part of my retirement plan still several years away.

In 2020, while packing for my trip, I decided to take a camera just to see if it was something I would enjoy. I had been thinking about it for years, but it never seemed to be the right time. Those first photos were average at best, but I managed to find 12 that I liked enough to make a calendar to give to family members for Christmas. Once I saw the results, I was hooked. I spent that winter and the following spring learning all aspects of photography through online seminars and photography books while preparing for my next trip. I had researched some locations, and the goal was to return with at least 12 good images for that year’s calendar. I managed to achieve that goal and spent the next two years experimenting with different camera systems and learning photo editing. I continued to make my annual calendar and even started making prints. It was at this point that I added analog cameras to my workflow. I started with a 35mm, and then medium format soon followed. Film allowed me to slow down the process and concentrate on composition and lighting. At the time I had been documenting small towns in Oklahoma on black & white film which created a timeless and nostalgic feel.

I would consider myself a multidisciplinary photographer who enjoys many genres including Americana, landscape, seascape, and surfing. Currently I am working on two long-term projects — one documenting Route 66 using both color and black & white film, the other a compilation of The American West on black & white film.