My Story

My passion for photography truly began to blossom when I was a curious teenager exploring the world around me. However, my deep appreciation and love for this stunningly beautiful planet we inhabit developed at a much younger age. Each summer, my family would embark on our cherished annual vacation. Growing up in the bustling city of Philadelphia, our travel destinations were typically somewhere along the picturesque east coast. As we had six family members in total, my parents couldn’t afford airfare, so we ended up driving to every single location, no matter how far. This often resulted in long, winding car rides filled with laughter and the occasional sibling squabble, but the excitement always culminated in our arrival at some breathtaking destination. One year, we found ourselves at the sandy beach, and the next, we were exploring the majestic mountains. There were even years when we got to enjoy both! It was always an exhilarating adventure, and without fail, we knew we would experience something wonderful and forever memorable. I have vivid memories of waking up early with my family to witness the spectacular sunrises breaking over the Atlantic Ocean during our special time in the Carolinas. I also vividly recall those magical nights when we stayed up late, strolling beneath the star-studded sky in beautiful Shenandoah National Park. Whether we were off exploring new places on vacation or simply enjoying our time back in Philadelphia, something incredibly beautiful was always within our reach, and I was eager to capture it all through my camera lens.

I started taking pictures with a simple point-and-shoot camera that was compact and convenient. On any given vacation, I would eagerly shoot over twenty rolls of film, capturing every moment. My vacations were incredibly exciting, but the anticipation of waiting for the developed pictures to come back from the photo lab was just as thrilling. As I grew older, I remember sitting and watching my father skillfully shoot with his Nikon SLR, and I was truly impressed with the stunning quality of the pictures he brought to life. So, for my 16th birthday, my parents thoughtfully surprised me with my very first SLR camera kit, which was a Minolta Maxxum 3xi. With this new tool in hand, I would enthusiastically snap pictures everywhere I went, documenting my adventures. In my junior year of high school at Northeast High, I took a class in photography that proved to be enlightening. It was here that I met an amazing teacher, Mr. Coffman. His challenging assignments pushed my limits and made me a much better photographer. He taught me that planning my shot was just as important as actually taking the picture itself. He often said, "A good photographer should always look for different angles and try to add unconventional elements into their pictures. This will make their art truly stand out from the rest." This insightful statement has always stayed with me and consistently encouraged me to "stand out from the rest." For many years, my camera accompanied me wherever I went, and I shot thousands of photos, passionately documenting moments that mattered. Unfortunately, reality took me away from my beloved photography for a few years due to the demands of college, work, bills, and building my career, which became my top priorities. However, my love and passion for photography were still very much present in my heart.

In 2012, I had the incredible joy of marrying my beautiful wife, who means the world to me. As a thoughtful and loving wedding gift, she presented me with a Canon Rebel T3I, allowing me to capture our unforgettable travel adventures together. That treasured gift truly reignited my long-standing passion for photography. Since that extraordinary day in my life, I make it a point to be out shooting at every opportunity that comes my way. In recent years, I have immersed myself in the inspiring works of some truly amazing photographers, such as Ansel Adams and Art Wolfe, both of whom have influenced my creative journey. While I absolutely adore taking pictures, my love extends beyond just my own images; I hold a profound passion and appreciation for the work of other talented artists in photography and the broader realm of art. I am continually exploring various photography pages, magazines, and books, dedicating my time to learn, master my technique, and draw inspiration for my own craft. It is my sincere hope that my work will somehow resonate with you and inspire your own creativity. If nothing else, I genuinely aspire for my pictures to help you cherish and appreciate the stunning and delicate world we all inhabit.