____More than just a medium for documenting the world in front of me, photography is an art form wherein I am free to communicate a message for which words would simply not suffice. My camera and lens allow me to communicate to others the wonderment that nature instills in me when I am faced with the breathtaking scenery of our natural world. It is my goal that my representation of nature, through the lens of my camera, will convey my own appreciation for the environment and remind the viewer of the beauty that could be lost forever if we as a whole don’t take responsibility for our planet. I feel that mankind has a unique duty to safeguard and protect the environment in which he lives. The natural world, however, is often neglected or sacrificed for the seemingly “greater good” of mankind. But it is undeniable that the viability and well-being of the environment is a linchpin of Mankind’s own survival.

____Far from any extremist viewpoints on nature conservation, I feel it is entirely possible to strike a balance between living comfortably, having a prosperous economy and enjoying all the current creature comforts of this age while still preserving and fortifying the environment in an unspoiled state. With each image I put out, I intend to increase the viewers’ appreciation for nature and their passion for protecting it. By communicating the scene as it was through my eyes, hopefully others will see nature for the work of art that it is.

____I was first introduced to 35mm photography at the age of 12 (in 1999) through an elective class in middle school. I have pursued photography ever since with the majority of my efforts focused towards landscapes. With the exception of that first class in 1999, I haven't received any formal training or schooling in photography. It has all been self-taught through personal study of books and articles followed by trial and error. My first camera was an old Minolta XG-M manual focus SLR film camera purchased from a local pawn shop. It didn't have all the fancy auto-exposure modes found on todays cameras, so I was forced to shoot my images in full manual. I truly believe that starting my photographic life on such a basic camera trained me to get control of the image and not rely on technology to get the shot right - a mentally that has paid dividends in my career and art.

____The work of world-famous adventure photographer Galen Rowell has made a huge impact on my photography. Although I can't say I had the pleasure of meeting Galen before he passed, his work has and continues to shape mine into what you see today. I also admire the work of Thomas Mangelsen, Art Wolfe and Peter Lik. All of these artists have served as inspiration in my art form, in business and in philosophy.