Bio
I grew up in the 1960’s in iconic Orange County, California. Raised in a family of photographers and musicians, I was always surrounded by art and good music. I can remember being at home alone in as an 8 or 9 year old kid, getting into a dresser full old family photos that had me laughing and crying all at once. I was enamored by the emotional power of the photographic image. It wasn't until I was 14 that my brother Dennis gave me his old Pentax H1a and taught me the basics of photography. He may have given me the tools and skills required to take a photograph, but I really think it was the home alone time with the old family photos that made photography the focus of my life.
I transitioned from the fine art world in California to the world of fashion in the last part of 1979. Thankfully I have been able to keep one foot in the art world while making a nice career in fashion and beauty. I love being given an assignment, no matter what it is, and I love photographing my friends, family, and what ever else enters line of sight. It's a mission of mine to always find the natural light and if I don't I add just a enough to keep it real. It’s important to me that the people who I photograph love the way they look, and more importantly to capture the “moment”. I truly believe that being a photographer has helped to keep me present in my own life.
I was heavily influenced by all of my fine art photography teachers, and the great fashion photographers I assisted. I am forever grateful to my teachers Ruth Bernhard, Paul Caponigro, Jerry Burchfield, Edmund Teske, Don Huntsman, Bruce Weber, Rick Strauss, Jim Hall, George Barkentin. I also give thanks for the support of Nancy, my wife of 30 years, and my two children, Genevieve and Jack.