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I
am originally from northwest Ohio (near Toledo) and am the youngest of 13
children. For as long as I
can remember I was always doing something artistic. I would always be drawing or coloring, and my Mom often
encouraged me to enter art contests as a child. I haven’t done much drawing lately, instead channeling that
creativity into photography. Rather
than come up with my own creation, I can take the amazing Creation that
God has already perfected and show it in an artistic way. I could be the best artist in the world and could never
create a butterfly or a sunset as beautiful as God can.
The best I can hope for is to capture that butterfly or sunset
for others to enjoy.
I’ve
enjoyed taking pictures with a point-and-shoot camera since I was a
child, but was never really into photography until 1998 when I got my
Canon EOS Rebel 35mm SLR camera. With
that, I realized I could control more of the focus and other settings,
giving me the result I wanted. I’ve
always had more of an “eye” for photography than necessarily the
knowledge of all the camera workings, but I continue to learn. My
first digital camera in early 2003 was the Olympus C-3020 digital zoom,
which comprises a large portion of my work.
In mid-2005, I moved up to a digital SLR, the Canon EOS 20D, and
continue to enjoy the "instant gratification" and convenience
of the digital format with
my Canon 7D acquired in 2010.
I
am an Air Force Reserve major, after having been on Active
Duty for seven and a half years. I started entering the annual Air Force photo contests in October
1999. Since
then, I’ve had a number of base-level 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
finishes, as well as Honorable Mentions in the various categories.
I’ve also had two first place and two second place entries at
the Air Force Material Command (AFMC) level, for a total of $350.
I
have been a member of New Mexico Veterans Art (NMVA) since fall 2003.
In my first NMVA show in November 2003, I won first and second
place in the photography category.
I received a second place in 2004, first place and the Patriot
Award in 2006, and second place in 2007.
Other awards include an Honorable Mention in the 2006 New Mexico
State Fair.
(See Awards)
I
hope you enjoy my photographic art. Please don’t hesitate to
contact me with any comments, questions, or suggestions you may have.
Thank you.
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