I am a self-taught photographer.  As many professional photographers will tell you, I  have been taking pictures since I was a young kid.  However, a good friend, from my high school years, really  inspired me to pursue the art.  I bought my first single lens reflex camera shortly after I was married in 1971.  I enjoyed taking pictures as a hobby for six years.  When my children were born, I took family pictures until 1982 when my daughter was born, and I bought my first video camera.  My still photography soon became a thing of the past and my single lens reflex cameras went to the closet shelf for many years.  Around 1990, maybe before, the dental laboratory business, which has been my profession since 1968, started using photography for taking shades, helping the technician duplicate color and characterizations of the natural teeth for dental restorations.  In 1995, I pursued this even more by purchasing my first digital camera and perfecting the art of photographing teeth in my own dental laboratory business, without reflections.  It was to this end that I purchased my first digital single reflex camera and was inspired once again to do more with my photography.

I had no idea which direction I would go in the art of photography.  Then I saw an exhibit of hand- colored photography at the Sacramento Airport.  It was beautiful work by the artist, Dianne Poinski.  Her work was inspiring and reminded me of some color oil painting I had attempted in my early years of photography.  I started studying other photographer’s work and my love for photography became a passion.  After ten years of working my own dental laboratory business, I decided to close the business and pursue my photography even more.  I continued studying other photographers work and took a few weekend classes at Brooks Institute of Photography with Joyce Wilson and Tri Huynh.  I joined a few local photo organizations and took workshops with Hanson Fong, Bill Mahan, Maria Christie and Diane Poinski.  I purchased studio equipment and worked hard in portraiture for friends and family and photographed a few weddings just for the experience.  I have loved working in these areas of photography, but found my true love with landscapes, seascapes and wildlife.  I continue my education  with online courses through Kelby Training, Nik Software webinars and Lynda.com webinars.  I attend as many seminars that come my way as possible.  My dedication and passion for the art of photography has made me the photographer I am today.  Although, I still have a lot to learn, I feel I can hold my own with many of the past and current photographers.  I am a professional photographer.