My parents got me interested in photography with all the picture taking they did until one day I had to satisfy my curiosity. At age four I remember getting tippy-toed to grab the camera out from my dad's hands. I had to balance on the ball of my feet to get the opportunity. While doing so I realized how much taking a picture meant to me. I asked what I should photograph. They replied by telling me to take a self-portrait. Huh? I didn't understand that. Once they explained I put the polaroid in front of me and pressed the button. Wow! I became blinded by the flash system. I decided then that photography was going to be an enjoyable part of my life. I didn't like the technology of the polaroid and hoped for something much nicer under the Christmas tree that year. Guess what? I didn't get a camera better than my parents or any other for that matter. Yet I did remember how much I wanted one.

I was about eight years old when I found a medium format camera while at a yard sale. The photographer was giving a demonstration to another shopper and that made me want the more expensive camera. I told my stepmom to buy it for me because I didn't have enough quarters in my change purse. She refused, so I ended up with the large, awkward looking one instead.

From then on I took a lot of pictures around our Midwest farm (Michigan). The continuous disappointment with low quality pictures made me put down the hobby for awhile. I gave the large, awkward looking camera to my stepcousin. I didn't get another camera until I was in my twenties. I bought a point-and-shoot camera that took postcard style pictures. I was very pleased with it and kept it beyond the explosion of digital technology.

A few years ago I did a lifestyle self-analysis. I had anchored myself down in a boring science (accounting) job. I spent nearly my entire adult life lost at sea. I became what was considered valuable in the eyes of so-called role models. Serious mistake. I was unhappy and had to make a change. A reflection of my childhood interests gave me a view of the shoreline. From there came the vision. I had to get back to photography and writing. My senses had been long dulled from only using my left-brain. I'm happy to say that the creativity has given me a more meaningful life.