Career

My visual arts career began in New York City, where I studied graphic design and illustration at The School of Visual Arts. Later, in Atlanta, I pursued advertising photography at Portfolio Center. From the very beginning, I worked as a comp artist, graphic designer, and photographer for advertising agencies and small businesses in Manhattan and Atlanta.

In 1985, I opened my own commercial art studio in Atlanta, specializing in product, portraiture, and special-event photography. I earned my Professional Photographers of America certification (CPP) early in my career, and my work has since been featured in professional salons and publications. Over the years, I photographed for clients such as Kodak, IBM, Fujisawa Pharmaceutical, Nintendo, Sweetheart Cup, Rheem Corporation, The Ritz-Carlton, Ernst & Young, The Fox Theater, Mohawk Industries, and many others. One of my most memorable sessions was with jazz legend Ray Charles.

After more than 25 years of commercial assignments, I began to wind down my studio work to focus more on personal projects. Today, I continue working as a visual artist, creating new photography, graphic design, and product imagery for select clients, while also developing projects that bring together my passions for art, teaching, and writing.

Teaching

Teaching has always felt like a calling to me. Alongside my professional work, I studied education at Florida State University and Georgia State University, completing my degree while working as a commercial photographer. Those studies deepened my understanding of how people learn and shaped the way I taught for more than three decades.

Over the years, I’ve taught photography and art at several schools, offered one-on-one workshops, and directed a commercial photography program at a technical college. Teaching has always been about more than technical skill—it’s about helping others find the confidence to see the world in their own way, to trust their instincts, and to embrace photography as a lifelong creative path.

When I taught commercial photography, I quickly learned that not everyone drawn to it is ready for what it truly demands. It’s a profession rooted as much in business as in creativity—though your images still need to be exceptional. Success comes from genuine enthusiasm for the business side and the determination to keep going when things get tough. That kind of drive can’t really be taught from scratch, but it can be nurtured and refined with the right guidance.

Although I stepped away from teaching in 2017 to pursue other creative directions, I still enjoy sharing what I’ve learned through writing, articles, and online platforms. Whenever I publish a new piece that helps photographers refine their craft—whether in film or digital—I share it here for the next generation of image-makers.

Who I Admire

When I think about who I truly admire, three figures come to mind. Each, in their own way, lifted an ordinary pursuit into something extraordinary; ideas into a nation, photographs into art, and a guitar into an orchestra.

Thomas Jefferson envisioned a nation rooted in liberty, education, and human potential. His words in the Declaration of Independence continue to inspire me, even as his legacy is complex. His influence has been so profound that I named my son after him.

Alfred Stieglitz transformed photography from a mechanical craft into a recognized fine art. His persistence gave photographers permission to create with the same seriousness as painters and sculptors. As a lifelong photographer, I look to Stieglitz as proof that conviction and vision can change an entire medium.

Andrés Segovia elevated the guitar to the concert stage, revealing its depth, nuance, and orchestral range. His artistry and discipline still inspire me. Having studied classical guitar since childhood, I know firsthand the power of the instrument he championed. One of my most cherished memories is hearing him perform live — an experience that remains unforgettable.

Although they lived in different times and worked in different mediums, what unites these men is their ability to pioneer, elevate, and leave behind legacies of enduring influence. I try to stay focused on their visions: Jefferson’s ideals, Stieglitz’s artistic fight, Segovia’s mastery. In doing so, I’ve found a compass for my own path.

Personal Life

I grew up on both coasts of the United States but never truly felt at home until I settled in the South. First in Atlanta, and later in North Florida, I found a sense of belonging in its culture, landscapes, and unhurried rhythms of life.

I share my life with someone special, follow a vegetarian lifestyle, and have always opened my home to rescue animals. My days are often a balance of art-making, photography, writing, and music. I start each morning reading from a mix of subjects, then often move to the kitchen, where I love to cook and experiment with recipes until they suit my taste—I’ve always been a bit particular about food. The simple joy of being outdoors has never left me. Music, too, has always been a steady companion, with classical guitar remaining my first love.

Photography, however, is the thread that ties it all together. I’ve long been fascinated by the mechanics of cameras, the dance of light, and the immediacy of image-making. Today, as I travel, explore, and create, I continue to draw inspiration from both familiar places and new discoveries. It’s been a creative life, one I cherish deeply and remain profoundly grateful for.