I remember distinctly when my love of photography became an enduring passion. I was in the fourth grade with my Brownie camera during a field trip to a California Mission. Capturing those pictures on film, taking it to the drugstore and two weeks later, picking up twelve blurry black and white photos with ragged edges was thrilling. Retired after 18 years of self-employment, photography continues to fascinate me. Photography is what drives me to seek adventures near and far.

Although never formally trained, I have always been involved with photography in one form or another. Transitioning from my own darkroom in high school, I joined the Idaho Statesman newspaper photography staff, and also worked in custom color printing labs both in Idaho and California. Later on I became a Certified Photographic Counselor through PMA and manager of Wentling’s Camera in Walnut Creek, CA while raising my two daughters. During this time, I also taught photography classes and conducted photo field trips. In 2012, I had my first solo gallery showing at Viewpoint Photographic Gallery in Sacramento, CA and continue to show my work in various galleries and venues in Northern California.  I’ve presented a variety of photographic programs to local clubs in the Northern California area and have received numerous awards through competitions and juried shows. I was recently honored to receive NANPA’s 2021 Showcase award for First Runner Up in Altered Reality.

I am a member of the Sierra Camera Club of Sacramento, Viewpoint Photographic Gallery and the Professional Photographers of Sacramento Valley. I currently judge for local and international competitions and juried shows.  

Over the years, I’ve discovered that the concept of “less is more” is what I like most about my own photography.  I try to incorporate this concept into everything I shoot.  My goal is to make images that resonate with the viewer in a way that touches the imagination. I strive to find the essence of a subject; the gesture, or the nuance that is not always obvious.