The life of a photographer is a little different than other people’s. I don’t know if it’s glamorous, but it is fun. I got my first camera from a friend when I was just 16 years old. It wasn’t much, but I was hooked, and I spent all my spare time annoying my friends by documenting our teenage adventures.
My love for photography only got stronger through the years, and it led me across the country in search of subjects and experience. From Rochester, NY to Ft Lauderdale, FL, to Dallas, TX and back up to Ohio - I have chased America through the lens of my camera.
My Experience
During my adventures, I began to see where my career was going. I began working with different brands to create commercial pieces. I learned lighting and staging and how to work with products and models. At first, I took these jobs as a way to make money with a camera, but the more I did, the more I found that being a commercial lifestyle photographer was my real passion. I think it was that love for the business that made my work start to really stand out. As I learned the technical side of my art, my experience grew, and I got to work with large national brands and famous models and athletes. You can see some of these in my portfolio, including:
iRobot
Lane Bryant
Joanne Fabrics
Chewy
Bed, Bath, and Beyond
And more!
The more I learned, the more I found my style. I knew it was time to stop wandering and settle down as a commercial lifestyle photographer for Cleveland, Ohio.
What I Learned
In my 14 years as a lifestyle photographer, I’ve learned a lot. Some of that’s technical - I’m one of the few photographers who have the experience to do both location shoots that incorporate the natural lighting, and studio setups. Some of it’s artistic, knowing how to compose a shot, frame a subject, and play with light and colors. But most of what I’ve learned has been about people. I’ve found that no matter what product I’m photographing, the real story is about the experience, the feelings, that people have with your brand.
That’s why, when you come on my set, you won’t find perfectly posed mannequin models running through a routine. Instead, you’ll hear loud music, open dialogue, and a lot of laughter. My job is to capture an authentic moment. And that only happens when people can let go and experience the essence of your brand. I want to communicate the real feelings and genuine reactions that occur in the moment. It’s that drive to capture the authentic experience that I think sets my work apart..
What I’m Doing Now
I’ve grown a lot as a photographer since I got my first DSLR camera when I was 16. Over the years, I’ve learned to share my visions and capture real authenticity as a lifestyle photographer. I’ve had opportunities to work with incredible people and products, and I wake up every day amazed at how lucky I am to have the job I do, publishing great photos of incredible products.
Today, I spend my time creating lifestyle pictures that show off the real essence of the people and things I photograph. Whether you’re an agency or brand, I’m happy to talk to you about what your vision is. One of the things I believe is that it’s important to have a shared artistic vision, so we can work together to capture the perfect shot for you and your brand. Then we can find that moment of authentic essence and share what makes your product so special.
