A passion began in the early ‘70’s. I,
unintentionally, fell in love with photography. After several years as a
hobby, it became a passion and profession. For over 20 years, I learned as
much as I could, always trying to perfect my craft. As time went by, I
narrowed my interests in the art.
From the beginning, Donna and I offered a full range of services,
portraiture, weddings, schools, teams, commercial, and more. As time went
by, we realized there was no joy in most of it. We began paring away some
of our offerings. By the early ‘90’s, we offered only fine portraiture and
wedding photography.
In the Fall of 1999, Donna and I had a life-changing experience. For one
thing, I found out why I had prepared as a photographer. There was a story
to tell, and I was to tell it. We made our first trip to Russia to work
with orphans. I guess we thought it was a one-time trip. At least, that is
what we thought, at the time.
“I bet you don’t want to go back there, again, huh?” I was asked several
times. “How could I not?” I replied. Of course, not all people are called
to the same service, but I do not understand how one can go and see, and
walk away.
Well, here it is, the Fall of 2006, seven years and sixteen Russian trips
later. Oh, throw in a couple of trips to the Republic of Georgia, and one
to Sri Lanka, a month after the tsunami.
We had a plan for our lives, but God had another plan.
As we traveled more and more, we found we had less and less time for work.
In 2004, we photographed our last wedding. The fact is, we had too many
spur of the moment Russia trips, yeah, I know it sounds strange, to
obligate ourselves to wedding contracts. So, we decided to stop booking
weddings.
Now, I concentrate on my most prized photographic desire, photographing
children.
The last two years, most people thought we had closed the studio. Well, it
was a reasonable impression. But, if you visit our other web site,
www.treasuresoftheheart.org , you will see why.
I have always thought I was more a storyteller, than a photographer.
Actually, the photographing of a person or wedding is, simply, telling a
story. The same circumstance can be described in words, or photographed.
Either way, it’s telling a story.
As our ministry developed over the years, it was obvious photography was
to play a major part. There are tasks to be performed, changes to be made,
in the lives of these, the innocent, invisible children.
We can tell of what we see, but words fail to accurately and completely
convey the circumstances in which these children live. When we say they
have no food, what we really mean is, they have no food. When we say they
have loose soles on their winter shoes, we really mean the snow gets
inside their sockless shoes.
It is hard to imagine, even when you hear of these things. However, a
picture is worth 10,000 words. When you see kids standing in the snow with
torn shoes, you understand what I am trying to say. When you see doors
that don’t close properly, or glass panes missing from the window frame,
you understand when I say the cold wind blows through their bedrooms….
that may not have beds.
I believe the Lord has given me this talent for several reasons. By
providing you with beautiful portraiture of your children, I provide for
my family. It also allows us to travel, serving those children who seem to
have no hope. Once there, I use photography to tell their story.
Babies ::
Children ::
Teens ::
Mission ::
The World ::
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