About

Q & A

Q: Why did you get into photography?

A: It is a funny story. My dad was the one who got me into it. He was an avid photographer. Every Sunday he would sit us down to look at numerous slides he took of vacations, holidays, and flowers. They weren’t always composed very well or even exposed correctly, but he was incredibly proud of them. It was his love and excitement for his hobby, that got my brothers and me to develop our own passions for photography.

Q: How do you choose your subjects?

A: I don’t always know why I pick a subject. I really just rely on my feelings and reactions to a scene. If I am walking around and I see a subject, an angle or even the whole picture, I will take it. If a subject has a story, I want to tell it with my photos.

Q: What was the first camera that you ever took a photo with? What do you use now?

A: It was my Nikon F2A film camera. I even remember that the first picture I took was of the bears at the Brookfield Zoo. It was when I got into grad school I received the camera that I was most comfortable with. It was 4x5 view camera. That camera relied on the photographer’s talent. The images were upside down, and seen under a black cloth. I remember having to even use a level to make sure that everything was straight. I now use two cameras; The Leica M10 Monochrome Rangefinder and the Nikon 5500. I appreciate that they both are now digital, and I am able to see the photos right away, being able to adjust where it is needed.

Q: What do you do in your free time when you are not working on your photography?

A: I am a reading specialist who tutors all ages. My favorite pastime is reading. I usually find myself diving into a good mystery or settling in for some knowledge about history. I have two grand dogs that I absolutely love to spoil and spend time with. Ever since moving to the Fox River area, I am spending time exploring all four of the cities that run along the river. The area is rich with so many photographic possibilities.