A Bit About Me
I have lived in Alaska since August
of 1986. Mother snuck a Kodak Instamatic
126 camera in my luggage when I
left home in Vancouver, WA. It
was my only tool to capture the
beauty of Sitka, AK. By 1988 I
owned my very first 35 mm SLR — a Ricoh
KSX-P Dual2 Program with 50 f-2, 135 f-2.8 and
a flash.
In 1990, I moved to Anchorage to attend the University
of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to become a State Parks/Forest
Ranger and learn more about photography. The next
thing I knew, I was living in the photography lab.
I became the Vice President and then President
of the Camera Club. I also represented the Camera
Club at the Club Council. In addition, I managed
the photo lab and assisted approximately 150 students
per semester in understanding the challenges they
faced in photography.
My Mentor, Professor Emeritis Sam Kimura at UAA,
always told his students that if they really want
to learn photography, get out of here and go south.
I followed his advise and attended 4x5 Commercial
Photography course at Seattle Central Community
College (SCCC). What a difference! There I learned
about light and how understanding light makes a
good photographer. I maintained Honors status at
SCCC.
In the fall of 1995, I returned to UAA and graduated
the following the summer, with Leadership Honors.
Currently, I teach an 11-week Introduction to Photography
course, hold evening lectures through the Community
Schools Program, conduct private tutoring sessions
and continue the art of photography.
In addition to photography, I enjoy serving as a
role model for other individuals manifesting congenital
physical limitations and spending time with my family.
Education
1996:
Graduated
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), A.A. Degree (emphasis on Photography Leadership, Honors
1992-93:
Seattle Central Community College (SCCC), 4X5 Commercial Photography Program, Honors
1990-92:
UAA,
Photography program
1989:
University
of Alaska Southeast, Sitka, AK, Photography
Honors & Awards
1992:
- Gold Pan Award from the UAA camera club as President
- Acceptance to the National Censored Exhibition, "Seeing Red, White & Blue"
1991:
Service
award from UAA's club council
1990:
- One of five equal winners in the international "No Big Heads" self-portrait juried art Show @ UAA
- Service award from UAA's Club Counceil
- Service award from the Alaska State Parks and Recreations
1984 - 85:
Two
Volunteer Awards, S.W. Washington Chapter,
March of Dimes
Photographic Instruction
2005:
Adobe Photoshop 7 & CS and Adobe Elements 2.0 & 3.0 Classes
2004:
Continuing 11-week “Introduction to Photography”
classes, “One Evening” lectures, and
Anchorage Museum of History & Art digital photography
lecture
2003:
Instructed
the State of Alaska (SOA) Medical Examiner’s
Office, the Anchorage Prosecutor's Office
& the SOA Fish & Game Lab Technicians on digital photography
1996-2008:
- Blaine's Art and Graphic Supply and Creekside Park Community School: 11-week Introduction to Photography Classe
- Creekside Park and Rabbit Creek Community Schools: One Evening Lectures: Understanding Your Camera, Existing Light Portraiture, Night Photography, Digital Photography and Artwork to Slides
1990-92:
- University of Alaska Anchorage, AK: President of UAA Camera Club
- Vice President of UAA Camera Club
- Representative of Camera Club to UAA Club Council
- Lab Monitor for Camera Club's open lab
- Tutored an average of 150 students per semester
Community & Volunteer Service
1994:
Columbia High School, Vancouver, WA, Night Photography Lecture
and Field Trip
1992:
Hart
Ranch, Hill City, S.D., Wildlife Photography Lecture
1990-92:
- University of Alaska Anchorage, Vice President of the Camera Cub
- President of the Camera Club
- Representative to the Club Council for the
Camera Club
- Lab Monitor for the Camera Club's open lab
1987-90:
- City and Borough of Sitka, AK, Alaska State Parks & Recreations
- Volunteer Fireman; KCAW Raven Radio
1984-86:
Vancouver,
WA, Creator/Chairman of the March Of Dimes "National
Flag Day" celebration March Of Dimes Board
of Directors