Live life. I love life with my friends. I know; that’s vague. But my favorite activities revolve around the theme of life. Maybe that’s talking deep and personal. Maybe that’s a ultra competitive game of scrabble. Maybe that’s drinking bourbon by the fire on a crisp autumn night. Maybe it’s toilet papering my father’s house yearly to see whom he blames. Any of these things can bring life.

We’re all built with a unique skill-set. Some earned, some laden into our souls from birth. Of all the passions, skills and joys I have in my life, there’s something of a collision that happens when it comes to being a wedding photographer. Here’s what I mean;

• I LOVE new Friendships; I get to fulfill my socially outgoing self by meeting new people and making new friends each weekend
• I LOVE making people laugh; one of my bucket list items is to do stand-up comedy, and I LOVE practicing my wit and timing on wedding parties and families.
• I LOVE small group leadership; there’s something fun about working with a bridal party [ large or small ] and helping guide and lead [ casually, not forcebably ] through our creative sessions.
• I’m a certifiable Type-A detail oriented person; I find SO much joy in building schedules and timetables with my couples to help ensure their day goes smooth. I like to focus on the small things that others would miss, ensuring that we’ve got our bases covered before heading into a wedding day.
• I LOVE bringing people to life; That’s a core tenant of mine. I thrive in relationships where life is given and restored around me. I enjoy helping couples and people relax and “come to life” when I’m around them.

Egads. Maybe 300? Ish? I’m 38, and have been photographing and filming weddings since I was 23.  Roughly 9 years ago I was fortunate to photograph my first Indian wedding, and know I’m hopelessly addicted.

Yes. I’m a full-time professional photographer and cinematographer.

We’re legit because we truly care about our craft and our purpose. We legitimately love building up and restoring those around us [ artistically and personally ]. Our work is about a pursuit of personal, professional and creative excellence.

In no order;

• Joy.
• Creative opportunity.
• Story.
• Emotions.
• Stress.
• Tears.
• Drunkeness.
• Family reunited.
• Drunken Tears.
• Awkward dance floor humping

I’m like who I am on any other day, but perhaps a bit more focused. I am calm, funny, easy going and flexible. I know that’s the sort of answer you’d probably hope for, but let’s face it, most people are not that type of person in tense and sometimes stressful situations.

I make it a point to get to know everyone around me, and to communicate clearly and kindly. Most of all, I like to not be the “creeper/awkward” photographer that many are used to. I prefer the fun and friendly role much more. I like to direct and lead, and to ensure that everyone I’m working with can relax and “be themselves” around me.

I love. Love. LOVE. backpacking. I’m something of an outdoorsman; I love the great expanse of open spaces, and I love a good physical challenge. There’s something about trekking through the wilderness with 40+ pounds of life support strapped to your back for miles on end that brings me life. It’s not just the outdoors or the exercise; it’s the enjoyment of time with self and others. Backpacking means I get plenty of alone time, while surrounded by the company of others. During the day while hiking, I can be surrounded by friends and yet alone in my thoughts. At night? We get the chance to unpack [ our equipment and our souls ] around a fire.

Here’s my list of loves [ in no order ]

• Monopoly
• Scrabble
• Chess
• Settlers of Catan
• 7 Wonders
• Werewolf game [ I forget the name, the one with will wheaton! ]
• Scythe

Games that make me want to flip a table [ in no order ]

• Monopoly [ I hate it, but I love it ]
• Apples to Apples [ seriously ]
• Connect Four

Sometimes when I go to restaurants and after a wonderful meal, I am annoyed by how often the manager [ or the waiter ] follows me out to the parking lot angrily demanding that I “Pay for my meal” or “settle my tab” or some crap like that. “It’s a free country!” I say, and remind them that I could have chosen anywhere to eat that night but I chose their establishment. “I won’t be coming back; you’ve lost another customer!” I say as the police drag me away.

Bourbon. Oh…. you mean like; not boozes 🙂

I am devouring books these days. I recently finished 4 books I was reading at the same time with the rest of the Making the Moment team; “Creativity Inc” by Ed Catmull [ Creative Director of Pixar “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Dr. Stephen Covey, “Dare to Lead” by Brenee Brown, and “Friction” by some guy whose name I forget write now and I need to google or you can do it because I’m feeling lazy. There was [ sadly ] a season of my life where I just stopped reading books. I’m not sure why; but I’m loving seeing my mind open up again as I pour smart literature into it again.

It’s awesome; [ hear me out here before you go crying about how much March sucks ]. For the trade off of arguably 3.5 ugly months per year [ I’m looking at you January, February, March and the weird-ass bi-polar end of April ]. We get gorgeous fall foliage, perfectly temperate summers, and even a bit of winter snow to make the holidays feel fun. Best yet? No tornadoes, no earthquakes, no scorpions, and no icebergs ramming their selfish selves into our ocean liners.

It’s a toss-up between Thyme Table, Fahrenheit, or Wendy’s.

1. I have a sweet car which is laced with a virtually indestructible alloy, and is also capable of moving on its own and also talks to me. Together we take down criminal organizations and often drive into the back of semi truck for storage or long treks.
2. I once was an amateur boxer.
3. I have milked cows awkwardly.