I'm at my best photographing people. Over the years, I've developed an instinct for knowing when to wait for just the right facial expression, and when to tease it out. I know when to take the lead in a sitting, and when to give way to my subject. I know how to use and focus my subject's natural nervousness to the best effect.

Click these links to learn about how I work and what I do best.

Compcards
Portfolio Photography
Portrait Photography
Nude Photography

Eventhough photographing people is my best ability, it wasn't always so, as it took years of practice before I knew how to do people well. My first years in photography were spent as an assistant to a excellant food photographer in downtown Minneapolis. I learned lighting from him, as well as food cosmetics and styling, view camera technique, how to plan a shoot, and business procedures. Watching him work, I was able to see how photographers interact with publishers, art directors and graphic designers, and gained a sense of the photographic industry.

But I had little opportunity to photograph people.

Later, I spent three years shooting catalogs and advertisements for Daytons Department Stores. I shot everything from cups and saucers, to bed sheets, hair dryers, toasters, televisions, and tennis shoes. You name it. If it's in your home, I photographed it for Daytons. And I shot it fast. I learned speedy production techniques, and shortcuts to everything photographic. Occasionally I would get to photograph someone modeling clothing, but again, I had little chance to develop my natural niche--people.

A bit more about my work in Commercial Photography

After working for Daytons, I took a job as photographer for the public relations department at the University of Minnesota. Working with writers, editors, art directors, and public relations personel, I was called upon to do all kinds and styles of photography: aerials, food, tabletop, illustration photography, and annual report photography.

And at last, I had the chance to hone my most natural ability--photographing people. I photographed them all day, everyday, for years on end. I photographed them in situations ranging from breaking news events, to informal portraiture of a professor in an office, or a student studying on the mall, to formal portraiture in a studio.

It was quite natural, then, that phographing people would be the heart of my free lance business. A large part of this business is creating portfolios for models, and headshots for actors. I also photograph musicians to publicize their concerts, or for CD covers. Sometimes I do more casual portraits of writers and authors for book jackets. Although most of my free lance work is of people, I also do some product and table top photography.

My photography business is run out of my home in South Minneapolis. The studio was added on in 1994, and is equipped with cameras, lights, strobes, umbrellas, computers, and all the other photographic paraphernalia found in professional photo studios. The studio space measures 20X24 feet with 14 foot ceilings, which is more than adequate for most of the studio work I do. Near the studio space, I have a darkroom, as well as a small gallery in which I show my work to prospective clients.