Photography has been a part of my life since I was a child. In fact, I still have the first camera I bought with S & H Green Stamps. It was a Kodak Brownie Fiesta, just in time for a school field trip to Jamestown. I was re-introduced to photography a bit later at the age of 12. A friend had a darkroom and taught me to process and print B & W film. That's when it all started. It was so impressive to shoot a picture, and watch it appear before my eyes in the darkroom. I never gave much thought to photography as a career, so I set off in pursuit of being a geologist. Just prior to graduating, I really became tired of looking at rocks and fossils. I realized that whatever I chose, it would be for the rest of my life, and I should do something which I enjoyed. That's when I chose photography. I was fortunate to be accepted at Brooks Institute of Photographic Sciences in 1976. I graduated in 1979 with a BA in Color Technology and Portraiture. I really had no interest in shooting at the time, but wanted to manage a professional lab. I assumed as long as there were cameras, there would always be film, but that's another story. In 1984, I settled on strictly shooting, and have not looked back. I have enjoyed every day, with no two alike. I have traveled extensively, flown in tactical jets for 8 years, eaten in some truly fine restaurants, and enjoyed many "perks" as a career photographer.
I look forward to serving on the board of VBPC once again. It really is amazing to witness the growth of the club from the late '90s. I applaud the efforts of the members to make it an active, enjoyable group.