Shortly after graduating from Cal State San Jose, I interned for advertising and architectural photographers before settling-in as the studio-manager for a San Francisco advertising and food photographer. In this role, I set up the equipment, managed the days’ shoots, and assisted the photographer. Working here was farrr more educational than my 4-year degree. I also got yelled at a lot, too. Fair.

In this role, I worked on shoots for Mattel, Beringer Wine in Napa Valley, The California Milk Processor Board (i.e. Got Milk ad campaign) and Nike. Each was an incredible learning-experience.

We set up everything in-studio, shot film with Sinar and Hasselblad cameras, strobe and hot lights, worked with stylists, big advertising shops and brands.

A few years later, I found myself working for a large conglomerate printing company as a product photography coordinator and photographer—high volume product, food and lifestyle photography for large—now dead—brands. RIP, Sears.

The shop was different. There were fewer opportunities to work with stylists. I clocked-in and out, but I wasn't yelled at as often.

It was always noisy with the sound of million-dollar Heidelbergs that ran 24-7. I managed to learn a ton about offset-printing, digital photography, and color-correcting for press. We were an early-adopter of the original Mamiya LEAF digital back system (lovingly referred to as ‘the brick’), then Phase One digital backs for Hasselblad and Contax camera systems. The latter combo—Phase One with the Contax— is still my favorite medium-format system.

I left to pursue a graduate degree in an experimental M.F.A. program in New York. The program was focused in the interesecting areas of graphic design and photography. Who knew such a program existed, or that it would turn out to be an oddly perfect program.

I take quiet photographs where light, architecture, and environment are often the theme. This sometimes manifests in the form of printed, exhited photographs; sometimes very small editions of handmade artist books. Prints and books have been exhibited nationally.

I prefer the slowness and patience required of my very old medium-format camera, Tri-X or slide-film, and a tripod.