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I have had a life long interest in photography that started
when I picked up my first camera when I was still a toddler and grew
stronger when I bought my first camera shortly before my 6th birthday. In 1997 at the urging
of a friend I turned snapping family
photos and vacation snapshots into a possible future career. I returned
to Calhoun Community College after a 5 year break to begin pursuing an associate degree in
Photography and Film Communications. I learned what I could in class, the studio and
darkroom, but that was not enough for me. I spent my free time shooting every chance I
could.
After nearly a decade working in and around local bars, I had a
built a solid reputation that translated to a built in clientele. Before
my grades were posted for my
first quarter I was working solid. While going to classes 3-5 days a week I spent
Friday-Sunday shooting local bands and exotic dancers. While I don't get
the opportunity to work with them much anymore I never forget the folks
that got me started.
In 2000 I had left college, but I continued to shoot regularly.
After a chance meeting online I began talking with a photographer from
Nashville, TN and a model he worked with often. It took over a year for
us all to finally get together and shoot, but we spent several hours
together becoming closer friends and making some great images. It felt
like I learned more in that one day than I did in over 3 years of
classes. Since that day I have had the pleasure of working with
her again as well as many other models from all over Alabama and as far
away as Connecticut and Illinois.
More importantly I have been able to work side by side with several
photographers from all over this country. The hands on experience I gained while
shooting with them is as valuable as what I learned in class and to me better
training. I received instant feedback on how I was shooting and the images I was
creating, They taught me numerous techniques, allowed me to train in various
settings and enabled me to test out many types of equipment until
I found what best suited my style.
I have had to put pursuing a career in photography on hold, at least
temporarily. I still take the occasional assignment and shoot as often
as possible, but I shoot mostly for fun. While some try to put down
amateur or hobbyist photographers they forget the only difference
between a professional and an amateur is not experience, talent or
skill. A professional shoots for money while the amateur shoots only for
the love of his/her craft.
I became a professional before I really had a clue what I was doing.
Over 10 years later I proudly consider myself a photo hobbyist. In the
past decade I have worked with numerous local models, bands as well as
house wives and career women.
Specializing in glamour and portrait photography I love to work with new
faces. As a hobbyist I do not have to deal with the expenses of paying rent and utilities on
a studio each month and can shoot what I want when I want. I have a small
traveling studio (growing all the time) that can be set up in any average size
to larger room, but I usually prefer shooting in nature except when weather gets
in the way. This keeps my expenses and your costs down.
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