I've been Photographing for a while, but my love for Photography is growing, Its not that I've started to define myself as a Photographer, but more of a Photo-Smith, Camera and Light are my Hammer and Fire, respectively. I used to look at the sunrise and sunset and be in awe of their glory as they touched the edge of the world, now even more so because those are the best times for creating stunning dramatic photographs. The main difference is that I don't only do it for myself, but I do it for others. I want others to share in my love for photography in a deeper way, in a more emotionally connected way.

I started out with a point and shoot, the rectangular one that you could take to a party and not worry that its going to get trashed. I clicked and clicked and have archived so many photos that I haven't even organized in years, the dreaded, "I never got around to it" always pops up as the excuse.

Landscape and Architecture Photos are often rich in texture, colors, context, object relations and embedded emotions. Portraits are very much the same way. The energy of a couple, or a family play off each other, and each person is unique and interacts with the world uniquely. Part of the reason why I've been loving photography more and more is that I've started to not just recognize beautiful shapes, colors and people, but the emotional quality of the image and the unique energies it emits.

My advice to non-professionals is to take a lot of photos, keep them, whether they're good or bad. What I've noticed is that people love to take formal photos with a professional photographer, these are the photos that make it to Facebook profiles and canvases on walls. People tend to leave the casual shots to instagram, or facebook posts with a smart phone, but don't underestimate the power of a casual shot with a professional photographer. A crisp, well defined, nicely colored casual photo leaves even more of an emotional impact than a structured, well mannered formal photo. We tend to show our most when we let our guard down, that includes how much we love each other.

Our photos tend to evolve with us, first we might take pictures of our toys, the small things that make us happy. Then we start edging into our teenage years of selfie taking #selfie. We start to incorporate a partner in crime with this selfie, #selfie. Then we start becoming more romantic and take photos of our loved ones sleeping, #notcreepycausewe'redating. Finally, we start taking pictures of our kids, if that is a reality for some. these pictures of your kids, you wished you had a higher caliber camera that seems to be more and more accessible, but you don't have the expendable income or the know how of how to even operate one. Take them anyway! post them to facebook and ignore all the other people who are hating on the fact that your kid is so cute #hatersgonnahate. You'll eventually figure out which photos are better than others and you'll take better photos with your smart phone; instagram makes everything look artsy and can help too! When you can, save up get a professional and get the important photos taken like Yearly Family Photos, Rare Family Get Togethers, Christmas, Graduation, New Born/3 Months/6Months/1 Year, Engagement/Wedding.

Those of you who are getting a session with me, I encourage you to ask me about your camera if you have one, or even ask how you could take better photos with your smart phone. I want you to be able to take everyday photos for when you don't have a photographer with you. I'm not usually there when your child wins his first sports game. I'm not usually there when baby learns their first steps, and I can't be there when you go off on a family trip to Hawaii and you saw the most beautiful sunset, I mean I can... if you want me to. All in all, I'm extending my reach further into this wacky world so that we can all enjoy Photography as something everyone can respect and appreciate.