There's a saying that people know what they are meant to do in this life at a very early age and so it was with me.

My first exposure to photography came at an early age before I knew what photography was. I participated in a school field trip that happended to be to an exhibit of photographs by several famed photographers among which were Gordon Parks, James Van Der Zee and Moneta Sleet, Jr. I was completely taken by Moneta Sleet's work, so much so that before I left the exhibit, I knew that a photographer was what I was to become.

Unfortunately, like many young people, I was told that there was no future in the creative arts and I made my first career in the legal field of corporate america. I always managed however, to incorpoate photography into my corporate career and became known as the one to photograph specimen for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the one who could photograph evidence for litigation and other legal matters. At the same time, other companies began to notice my work and hire me for small jobs, so I began spending my vacation and "sick" time on photography assignments.

I've always loved photography and viewed it as a gift so, when layoffs hit, I decided to use my gift to do what I've always loved.