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SEEING BEAUTY EVERYWHERE

Some of my friends & family find me a difficult travel companion. I have the habit of suddenly stopping the car and jumping out to make a photograph. When I return to the car my passenger will inevitably say something like “why did we have to stop I don’t see anything special”? However, a few months later I’ll show them the image I made while they were waiting in the car 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. 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”. I have instinctively known this most of my life. I was always seeing wonderful things that nobody else saw. 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 everyday. Whether I’m just sitting on the back porch of my studio or hiking in the desert South West, beauty presents itself to me in the most ordinary and unusual places. It’s always there, all around me, no matter where I am.

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 almost 30 years. Over that time I’ve garnered many photography awards from my peers 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.

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 legacy of children as well. Peggy & I were blessed with two wonderful kids who are now established, hardworking and loving young adults. Angie recently graduated for 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. Our son, Marty graduated from college worked in the communications field for a number of years and joined the studio full time in 2001 as a photographer and digital imaging specialist. Marty isn’t the type to stop the car, jump out and make a photograph but he has developed a sensitivity to the nuance of expression, composition and light that has brought tears to the eyes of many of his wedding clients. Marty started assisting me at weddings when he was still in middle school. By the age of 15 he was photographing along side me at my weddings and for the last six years he’s been shooting solo developing his own cliental and winning many awards for his portrayal of significant moments of beauty with his exquisite sense of composition. Peggy & I feel very fortunate that Marty decided to join us in the family business. He has made the transition into the digital age much smoother for his analog prone parents and his photography has garnered rave reviews from his clients. I know the studio will be in good hands far into the future.

MY PARTNER IN BUSINESS & IN LIFE

Peggy & I celebrated 31 years of marriage in 2006. It’s no coincidence that when she joined me in the business full time in the late 80’s is 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. She looks after the studio, the mortgage, the bills, the insurance; she orders supplies, answers the phone and packages orders. This allows me to concentrate on what we do best create artwork. She’s been 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 with me. I love her dearly.

AND FINALLY

I should also mention Tyler an extremely important member of our family. Tyler is a Border collie / Blue Healer mix. He’s was 14 years old in 2006 and is a constant presence in our production area often laying near our computer work stations keeping us company during the long busy season. He’s the first one to greet Marty when he comes to work each day. He’s always the center of attention when we're all home together.

Well, hopefully this little blurb gives you some insight into the people 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 that 30 years. To all of you I say thank you.

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