Commercial, Portraiture, Fashion, and Fine Art Photography
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I have been involved in photography for more than 30 years now, with my interest in the field surfacing during my high school years. During that time I worked in many aspects of the field, from working as a lab assistant and printer for a commercial photographer, working as a technical and public relations photographer for a major corporation, to owning and operating two businesses of my own throughout the years, and finally, teaching photography to others. I attended and graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor's degree in Art, with an emphasis in photography. During my college years, I worked for a commercial photographer in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a printer and lab assistant, learning many "tricks of the trade" and gaining valuable experience. I also worked as the lab manager for a year at Weber State University in their photo department, keeping the darkrooms and studios running, as well as managing other staff. I then began working for a local photo supply and studio business, gaining experience in retail and doing portraiture for the company. In 1985, I began working as a technical and public relations photographer for Hercules Aerospace, "chasing rockets and/or politicians" as we called it, depending on what was being photographed that day. I worked in both still and video photography at Hercules, adding to my already immense knowledge of photography. I worked for Hercules for six-and-one-half years, until a loss of contracts led to lay-offs, thoroughly enjoying the time I spent there. Even before and while working for Hercules, I ran a portraiture/wedding business on the side in my free time. I continue to shoot portraits and the occasional wedding to this day. After leaving Hercules, I continued this business on a full-time basis for some years, while at the same time being a stay-at-home dad to my sons while they were small. Also during this time, I worked part time at The Disney Store in Salt Lake City, gaining knowledge of the Disney philosophies and work ethics. In 1999, I ventured into a new area of photography, opening my own photo supply store, Northern Utah Photographic, geared toward professionals and students, as well as the general public, as there were no local companies adequately meeting these needs in the area. Northern Utah Photographic earned a reputation as a place where photographers and would-be photographers could go and find what they needed, get valuable information in every aspect of photography, and deal with a professional and friendly staff. I operated the store for five years, eventually closing it in 2004 when changes in the economy and the field of photography itself contributed to the store no longer being viable. During my years of owning Northern Utah Photographic, I began to be asked to teach classes on photography, something I had done a few times in the past. As a result, I began offering a variety of photography classes through the Eccles Community Arts Center (where I continue to occasionally teach), through my own business, and to other groups/organizations who approached me with requests. I have taught photography, studio lighting, posing, and other topics to photo clubs, Girl and Boy Scouts, at conferences where participants could select from a variety of topics (in one case, digital photography and what to do once you have taken the photos), and to various other groups and individuals. For three years, I held the contract and taught Digital Photography at Hill Air Force Base, which was one of the most popular classes offered through the Base. Additionally, I have returned to Ogden Preparatory Academy for fall of 2009/2010 to teach photography to 5th through 9th graders, and I'm having a blast working with all the kids. My wife and I have two sons and live in Ogden, Utah. We are actively involved in our boys' schools, performing dozens of hours of volunteer work there each year, as well as helping with Boy Scouts (myself as a leader and merit badge counselor), participating in Ogden's Farmer's Market, and life in general. My wife and I are recipients of the President's Award for Community Service in 2004 and 2005, for having donated more than 250 hours each of those years to community service. I also serve on the board of the Weber County Heritage Foundation (two years and ongoing). |