I was born to a family of art lovers. Music, painting, drawing, sculpture - every form of art was revered. In this nurturing environment I was taught to appreciate the beauty we encounter every day and to share this with others. I count myself very fortunate to have learned this lesson early on. In my youth I discovered photography as a hobby. It seemed an ideal method for capturing the beauty of the world. I am self-taught and enjoy reading photography books and publications to further my knowledge. The study of light alone could occupy the rest of my days. I have a special affinity for photographing nature. Because I love photography and the outdoors, carrying camera equipment while hiking for miles is never a burden. The reward is sharing those images with family members, friends and colleagues. My hobby has allowed me to venture into other areas as well. In the past I have done photo journalism for local newspapers, professional wedding photography, commercial photography and managed a photo lab for a number of years. Appreciating beauty of life, giving and receiving love is not accidental, it is something that hopefully we learn early on in our lives and we must practice each day.