SEEING BEAUTY EVERYWHERE

My friends & family often find me a difficult travel companion. I have the habit of suddenly stopping the car and jumping out to make photographs. When I return my passenger will inevitably inquire as to why we had to stop indicating they didn’t see anything particularly interesting out the window. However, a few months later I’ll show them the photograph and they’ll proclaim it "stunningly beautiful" and ask me where I found such a lovely image?

Making beautiful, storytelling images is so much more than just having a fancy multi mega-pixel camera with all the latest features. Using a camera is easy. What’s hard is seeing well. The late Bill Jay, one of photography’s most insightful essayists and critics says it best; "Photography is, at heart, a very simple act, but exceedingly difficult to do well. It is a visual response to an emotional confrontation with the subject". Instinctively I’ve known this most of my life. I was always seeing wonderful things that nobody else seemed to see; pointing out beauty where none was expected. I don’t know why this is but I do think it was in me from a very early age and I delight in it and celebrate it every day. Whether I’m just sitting on the back porch of my studio or hiking in the desert South West, the spirit of beauty presents itself to me in the most ordinary and unusual places. It’s always there, all around me, no matter where I am. I like to think of it as being in the presence of the Devine.

This ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary and my ability to record it has lead thousands of people to the front door of my studio for more than 30 years. Over that time I’ve garnered many photography awards from my peers in the art world for which I am truly grateful. I always strive to make photographs that burst with the joy of life and living. People say they see this in my photographs and that’s the best award of all.

MY PARTNER IN BUSINESS & IN LIFE

My wife, Peggy & I will celebrate 35 years of marriage in 2010. It’s no coincidence that when she joined me in the business full time in the late 80’s was when my career really began to take off. She freed me from having to deal with many of the day to day chores that are inevitable & necessary when running a small photography business. Her official title is Studio Manager, but she recently added the title of workflow specialist to her resume doing all the color & contrast corrections on the thousands of images we create each week during the busy season. This allows me to concentrate on what I do best, creating photographs, teaching classes and workshops and planning our marketing and advertising. She is a true blessing in my life. Our clients love her… she’s always nice, always upbeat, helpful and easy to work with. And yes, she is often the person waiting in the car when I jump out to make a photograph. She has endured this for many years and is always very patient. I love her dearly.

THE SECOND GENERATION

Leaving a legacy of wonderful photographs is certainly a central focus of my life, but as a parent I also hope to leave a family legacy as well. Peggy & I have been blessed with two wonderful kids who are now established, hardworking and loving young adults. Angie graduated from Edgewood College with a degree in elementary education and is currently teaching in the La Crosse area. Her students love her and benefit from her warm and nurturing demeanor. Angie grew up in the business and was my assistant for many years while she attended college. Our son, Marty graduated from College and worked in the communications field for a number of years. In 2001 he joined us at the studio full time as a photographer and digital imaging specialist. Marty isn’t the type to stop the car, jump out and make a photograph but he developed a sensitivity to the nuance of expression, composition and light that has brought tears to the eyes of many of his past wedding clients. Marty started assisting me at weddings when he was still in middle school. By the age of 15 he was photographing alongside me at weddings and by 2001 he was shooting solo developing his own cliental and winning many awards. Peggy & I were fortunate that Marty decided to join us in the family business back in 2001. He made the transition into the digital age much smoother for his analog prone parents. However, all good things come to an end, in 2009 Marty returned to the communications field taking a position with General Communications in Madison, WI as a Webmaster.

OUR LITTLE ASSISTANT

I should also mention Mattie, an extremely important member of our family. Mattie is a Border collie / Australian Shepherd mix. She was born on December 29th, 2006 and is a constant presence in our production area often lying near our computer work stations keeping us company during the long busy season. She’s a wonderful little friend who is always encouraging me to take a break from Photoshop and take her for a walk. She’s always the center of attention when we're all home together. See a video Marty produced when Mattie was just a pup – "cute"!

GRATITUDE

Well, hopefully this little blurb gives you some insight into the people (and creature) you’re likely to be working with if you choose to commission us. We’re a small family studio with a long reputation in Wisconsin for our award winning imagery. I’ll close with a quote from photographer Chip Forelli: "Photographers (or any other artist for that matter) who are successful at their career should be filled with gratitude rather than arrogance." I must say that I am truly grateful for my success not only for my family, but for all the wonderful people I have had the privilege to photograph over these more than 30 years.