Photography has always been a passion for me—ever since I developed that first roll of 127 Pan film from my bakelite Kodak Brownie when I was 12. Through the years, as with many creative people, I became immersed in other distracting artistic endeavors. I studied music; played the bassoon and harp (of all things) in high school and college. I also became sidetracked—not knowing what I wanted to “become” as an adult—majoring in psychology, sociology and, of course, music. Did I mention a lack of focus?

I continued to play around with photography, shooting sports and news events for the Fort Lewis College newspaper during my freshman year. Over the years I played around with a lot of camera equipment. I’d moved from the Brownie to a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex 35mm; then purchased my very own Minolta SRT101. Wow, it had a built in light meter. The college newspaper relied on 2-1/4 Yashicamats and a 120 format Omega press camera, which were real beasts to carry around. No 35mm cameras were allowed!

I realized Journalism and photojournalism were my real interests, so I transferred colleges, changed my major, and pursued both writing and photography at the University of Iowa.  As an intern—and later staff photographer—at my hometown newspaper, The Rock Island Argus, I got a lot of experience. Newspaper work is not that glamorous (not every reporter is a Woodward or Bernstein). Interns usually spend a lot of time as "general assignment" reporters, meaning they fill in when people are on vacation or do the "gopher" work. For me it was covering the obituary desk, occasionally serving as a beat reporter and, whenever possible, serving as a backup photographer. I also did a six-month stint working as a "halftone Jockey" in the pre press area of the newspaper.

After the back shop assignment, and paying my dues, I was invited back into the newsroom to serve as a staff photographer. Sure, that meant covering gavel passings, rose club luncheons, the Rotary Club, and the Women's Guild events, but there were also those spot news events that made the work interesting. I also had the opportunity to hone my skills and acquire the right tools: a pair of Nikon F2s, motor drives, and an assortment of lenses (I still use this equipment today).

Okay, why the web site? Basically, I have all these images that sit around in slide files, negative sleeves, on CDs and DVDs and they never get seen. Some are interesting; others aren't, but have a meaning to me. I wanted to be able to share them. That's all.