How did you get started?
I began working heavily in photography twelve years ago when my father taught me how to use his 1968 Asahi Pentax. I was in college, and I was hooked. His instructions to me were very basic — “keep the light meter needle in the center, and don’t shake the camera.” I think that was the best piece of artistic advice I’ve ever been given!
What is your artistic vision?
I often see an image in my head and set out to create it — it is very rare that I capture something on a whim. I liken my work to painting with light — I use a number of different vintage cameras and lens to create my work , and I just love the look that a viewfinder or a Polaroid gives to my subjects. When people ask what I do, I tell that I try to capture everyday things in extraordinary ways.
Describe your evolution as an artist.
When I first began, I worked strictly in black-and-white. I loved the simplicity of monochrome and the process of developing the film myself, learning how to dodge and burn in the darkroom to make the most of my images. When I finally caved in and bought a digital camera (not until 2003), it took me a few years to become comfortable. When I finally discovered I could combine vintage cameras with the digital process (I built a light-blocking box that connects my digital camera to these amazing old viewfinders), I felt I had finally found my happy place!
Who and what influenced you the most in developing your vision and voice?
I am inspired by everything I see and hear — music and poetry often create pictures in my mind that I simply must go out and create. The largest influence, however, are my children. They are small, short, and pay attention to things we adults gloss over in our daily haste or simply don’t see because we are so much taller. They make me slow down, breathe, and really see the world around me. I love to take them on photo walks with me — they invariable spy something I might otherwise have missed.
