Why do you exclusively photograph children?

Simply put, I love capturing the fun, exuberance, innocence, and spontaneity of children. No other subject captivates me like children. As a parent, I see firsthand how quickly phases pass, interests change, and personalities shift. I also know how valuable the photographs of those special times will be to parents. To be able to create stunning images that parents will cherish for years to come is a genuine honor and warms my heart.
 

What makes working with children fun?

To me, children are the most authentic beings on earth. They know how to have fun, to laugh, to be silly, and to just be themselves. When I am in a child's presence, I always have fun, and I always learn something. When I photograph children, I want their personalities to shine through. The fun for me is in letting them be themselves, encouraging the silliness and spontaneity, and seeing what happens. Usually, the results are far more amazing than anything I could have planned.


Why do you choose to photograph outdoors?

First and foremost, I love being outdoors, and I believe kids do too. From a personal taste standpoint, I prefer outdoor images to those captured in studio. I love the fact that the kids can be free and spontaneous without the fear of knocking over equipment, and parents can relax for the same reasons.

What is one word that describes how people react to your children's portraiture?

The one word that comes to mind is JOY. When people see my work, they smile. They connect with their heart. That is incredibly gratifying to say the least.

Who is your ideal client?

The client who enjoys working with me the most is someone who wants beautiful, unique images of their child that capture who they are. They value beautiful artwork, and they want an enjoyable, stress-free experience that does not require a second mortgage to afford. They do not want to have to come into a studio for multiple appointments; they want to be able to make choices from the comfort of their own home while at the same time, receiving incredible service that makes them feel special. My clients enjoy working with someone who respects and values their child, and who allows their child the freedom to be themselves. 

How do you distinguish yourself from other photographers?

Let me first say that every photographer delivers their own unique value to their clients. There is not a RIGHT way to do that. I offer choices that work really well for my clients:

• Simple choices - I offer 3 collections to choose from, that's it. While a la carte options are certainly available, I keep the choices simple so that you are not overwhelmed.
  
• No sales presentations - I don't enjoy sales presentations myself, so I don't force my clients to sit through them. You have already purchased the collection you like best, so now it is just a matter of choosing the images you love most. That is something you can do from the comfort of your home. If you require assistance, I am happy to help. For multi-image artwork, I may offer a design proposal, but you are always free to choose the images you want. 
  
• No upselling - No one enjoys being talked into something they don't want. That is not service. I value simplicity and so do my clients. If you would like to purchase additional or upgraded artwork, I am more than happy to help. I will let you make that decision. All available products are shown on my website so that you are aware of the possibilities.
  
• Beautiful artwork - My focus is on creating artwork that you can proudly display on your walls or coffee table. That means they have to look great displayed large. I get so much pleasure from viewing the artwork of my son and my wife that I have created. The same products that adorn my walls are the ones that I offer my clients.

I want parents to relax and enjoy the shoot knowing that there is nothing their child can do wrong. I am happy for parents to be involved, but often once they realize that their child cannot do anything wrong or mess anything up, they relax and feel comfortable blending into the background.

Besides photography, what do you love to do?

I absolutely love spending time with my family. My wife, Monica, and I have been together for almost 25 years, we are best friends, and we have found that our relationship continues to get better with each passing year. I love just being with her.

My son is an incredible blessing in my life. He makes me laugh and smile, and he teaches me in so many ways. He is my best buddy, and father/son outings are always something I cherish.

I love athletics, specifically UVA baseball, lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer. I love hiking, biking, birdwatching, and visiting national parks (Yellowstone is my favorite so far).

In addition to my photography work, I am an author and a Success Coach. I am absolutely passionate about assisting people in turning their dreams into reality. As I like to say, Create More Success in Less Time with No Stress. You can read about my forthcoming book, "How Much Freedom Can You Stand?," at my website http://personalfreedomexpert.com.

How did you learn photography?

Interestingly, my son really was the impetus for me discovering my passion for photography. When he developed an interest in birds, Monica and I sought out ways to further his interest. When I got hooked on birdwatching myself, I quickly found that I wanted to photograph them. I began taking photography courses online. One of the classes I took was on Children's Photography. Completing the assignments for that course was an absolute blast! I photographed my son and all his friends, and I knew that I wanted to take it to a professional level. I opted to receive my formal photography training at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, MT. Since then, I have furthered my education through the Professional Photographers of America and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.