A Very Brief Photographic Biography

I remember the first time I saw a Nikon 35mm SLR camera. It belonged to my cousin and he would not let me touch it. The budding geek in me wanted to know all about its dials, buttons and strange numbers engraved on the lens. I knew I had to have one. My little Kodak Brownie Bullet camera was not going to cut it anymore. I worked at the local library at the time and I checked out every photography book I could find. I would hide away on the third floor where the general public was not allowed and poured through the stacks of photography magazines. I saved my money and bought my first 35mm SLR. It was a Minolta. Nikons were way out of my price range.

That camera and single 50mm lens went everywhere with me. I shot rolls and rolls of film. I built a darkroom in my parent’s basement. Long before the instant feedback of a digital camera I developed a sense for when a photograph was going work and worth taking or when to hold off and save the film for the right shot.

Today with the proliferation of smart phones, everyone has a camera. Some people have fancy DSLRs. Hold it up to your eye…click and you can take a fairly decent picture. Sometimes you may even get lucky in getting that really good shot. Still, there is a big difference between taking a snapshot and creating an image that invokes a positive emotion in the viewer.

I have long had a sense for how the different elements of light, composition and timing work together to consistenly create memorable images. I also have the experience to know what works for a business.

I love collaborating with clients on the creative aspects of a project. I love being able to call myself a photographer. Because I am not just a guy with a camera…I am a photographer.

I finally got that Nikon and have had quite a few over time, but do you know what? I still have that Kodak Brownie Bullet too.

Thank you,

Tim