My love for the magic of nature has guided my photographic journey and has brought me to where I am today. I live in Magnetawan, Ontario, with my wife, Cyndi, and our Newfoundland dogs: Henry, Marty, and Kelcey, along with our two Maine Coon cats named Stuart and Sammy.
As I reflect on my previous works and publications, I can't help but shake my head. I don't mean this in an egocentric way; rather, it's a recognition of my growth, which is how it should be. Life should be filled with growth and learning.
My entire perspective on photography has evolved. To me, photography is about manipulating light—using shadows and highlights to your advantage in order to achieve the results you're seeking. Dare to remove the “blinders.” Think outside the box, and don’t feel compelled to follow the rules; they are meant to be broken.
In the past, I would read everything available on photography, drilling the “rules” into my subconscious—things like the “Rule of Thirds.” In my opinion, it’s important to learn the rules but to also feel free to manipulate and ultimately break them. Treat them as suggestions and don’t let anyone impose borders or boundaries on your creativity.
For the most part, I do not adhere to conventional rules. Always remember that photography is an art form. I find it hard to believe that masters like Picasso, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Leonardo da Vinci followed strict rules. They pursued their vision, and it worked brilliantly.
I have spent about 22 years photographing war zones and conflict situations as a contractor for the military. Transitioning to outdoor photography, particularly night shots, has brought me to my "happy place."
I hope you enjoy my site. Please feel free to drop me a note if you would like to discuss anything.