Authentic portrait photography is not about perfect poses, flawless lighting, or expensive equipment. It’s about connection. After more than three decades behind the camera, I’ve learned that the most powerful portraits are created in the quiet moments—when people forget they’re being photographed and simply become themselves.
My journey into photography began long before digital cameras, filters, or social media likes. While living in the Colorado mountains for 15 years, I studied photography and launched my career as a photojournalist at a weekly newspaper, the Fairplay Flume. Working as a photojournalist taught me something essential early on: real stories unfold naturally. You don’t force them—you wait, observe, and anticipate.
Photography Is About Seeing, Not Directing
In 1987, I attended the Ansel Adams Workshop, where I had the privilege of learning from photographic greats such as John Sexton, Chris Rainier, and Morley Baer. That experience fundamentally changed how I approached photography. I realized that light, patience, and emotional awareness matter far more than technical perfection.
Inspired by that experience, I moved to Santa Barbara and was accepted into the Brooks Institute of Photography. There, I honed my technical skills, but more importantly, I learned discipline—how to respect the process and the subject in front of the lens.
Later, after assisting professional photographers in San Francisco for two years, I launched my own studio. For 16 successful years, I photographed commercial and catalog imagery in downtown San Francisco. Working in the fast-paced commercial world sharpened my efficiency and precision, but it also confirmed something deeply personal: my heart was always drawn back to photographing people, not products.
Why Authentic Portraits Matter
Over the years, I’ve learned that people don’t want to look “perfect” in photographs—they want to look like themselves, at their best. Authentic portraits capture personality, relationships, emotion, and subtle expressions that can’t be staged.
That’s why I gravitate toward outdoor lifestyle photography. On location—whether in a favorite park, a meaningful neighborhood, or a natural landscape—people relax. Children play. Couples interact naturally. Families forget about the camera. This is where genuine emotion lives.
Authenticity shows in the way a mother looks at her child, in a spontaneous laugh, or in a quiet moment of reflection. These are the images that stand the test of time.
Experience Teaches You to Anticipate Moments
Thirty-plus years behind the camera has taught me to sense moments before they happen. I watch body language, listen to conversations, and anticipate emotional shifts. This intuition only comes with time and experience.
I don’t rush sessions. I create a comfortable environment where clients feel seen and respected. When people trust me, the camera disappears—and that’s when magic happens.
A Fresh, Fun Experience in Northern California
Today, I live in Contra Costa County in the historic town of Martinez. I offer a fresh and fun experience with family portraits, individual sessions, women’s photography, surprise proposals, headshots, and real estate photography—all with the same storytelling approach I’ve carried throughout my career.
I believe photography is a collaboration. Every person has a story worth telling, and my role is to reveal it—not fabricate it.
“I capture the depth of my subjects and their passion in telling their stories through the lens of my camera. I call this ‘Outdoor Lifestyle Moments.’”
After 30+ years behind the camera, that belief remains unchanged. Authentic portrait photography isn’t about trends. It’s about truth—and truth never goes out of style.
