Making the Moment Photography

Professionally speaking, nearly 7 years. Practically speaking? I picked up my first polaroid when I was 5 and haven’t looked back.

Although each wedding holds its spot in my heart, I’m well over 100+ at this point.

Yes, yes and yes.

I hold an arts & science degree in visual communications from Bowling Green State University. My undergraduate degree there was focused in photography and graphic design.

I have been nationally published three times to date, and have received the Wedding Wire & Martha Stewart Bride’s Choice award two years in a row (2011 & 2012).

Ben, Vince & Holly. I seriously look up to my team here – they are a gifted crew that challenges and inspires me daily. Having photographers that work alongside me that are working on the same level forces me to push my creative boundaries with every shoot. After all, I can’t have them up-stage the boss now can I?

Outside of wedding photography, I am a HUGE fan of Vincent Laforette’s work. He is an accomplished photojournalist, working privately on photo essays, as a commercial photographer, and for a span of many years for the New York times. I look up to him as an artist, because he can so quickly grab a moment and tell a story. His work inspires me as a storyteller, and I try often to put on my “Laforette” hat as I photograph weddings, really enjoying the random stories and moments that unfold in a day.

I’m not sure if it’s retro yet, but I love me some “Settler’s of Catan”. Klaus Teuber is my hero in board game design. Yes, I’m that nerdy that I have a hero in this field. After that? Risk or Monopoly. When I play monopoly I like to be the banker so I can cheat real good.

I’m like who I am on any other day, but perhaps a bit more focused. I am calm, funny, easy going and flexible. I know that’s the sort of answer you’d probably hope for, but let’s face it, most people are not that type of person in tense and sometimes stressful situations. I make it a point to get to know everyone around me, and to communicate clearly and kindly. Most of all, I like to not be the “creeper/awkward” photographer that many are used to. I prefer the fun and friendly role much more. I like to direct and lead, and to ensure that everyone I’m working with can relax and “be themselves” around me.

This is a tricky question to answer because I think any answer I give might come off as “artsy fartsy” and leave you thinking I’m some weirdo who speaks in third person and wears a beret backwards. So to avoid that, I’ll have to leave to the reader to trust that acknowledging one’s own status as an artist is an action of simple truth rather than arrogance.

So getting beyond what you might think of my ego, I think I’ll have to default on the unique non-manufactured stance I take on photography. Let’s start here; art (photographic or otherwise) is not found in replication or reproduction, and most true artists will work hard to stay away from that type of predictable creation. I think one of the many reasons a photographer’s image will be found to be art, is when he/she creates something that is both unique (meaning not copied from another photographer’s blog) and attractive (meaning awesome looking and full of swag). As a wedding photographer, I think art is found when it’s both of the above, and yet communicates story at the same time. My work is art because it is unique, attractive, and full of story.

I am married to my super-hotty wife Colleen. She will be embarrassed I said that and probably ask me to edit that to say something more publicly appropriate like “very pretty”, but it’s true none-the-less. She’s ridiculously pretty and full of depth at the same time. I’m hoping our soon-to-be born daughter will catch many of her genes, and perhaps some of her father’s photographic ability and natural wit. We do have a little girl on the way, and I’m so excited to meet her and to be a dad. Should be a fun mix of awesome and challenging.

I like food. A lot. I have a few local places I enjoy and frequent often. Melt (parmageddon forever people!), B-side, Fahrenheit, and Wendy’s (don’t hate) are places I visit fairly often.

I have a weird mix, so if you know who they are I’ll give you a high five. Here are some favorites;

• Owl City (anything Adam Young does I love)
• David Crowder Band
• Ronald Jenkees
• Shawn McDonald
• Ratatat
• Steve Jablonsky
• Nickel Creek
• Black Acoustic

I once tried out for american idol… have you seen my audition?

I would LOVE to someday create a short film or movie. Maybe a music video.

We have two super-sweet kitties, Mookie and Megatron. I love them to death. Megatron is part dog, and even does tricks like high-fives and shaking hands. They are pretty great animals and we love them bunches at our home.