In 1986 my uncle handed me, a high sophomore, my first 35-millimeter camera. After showing me how to focus the lens and read light levels, he sent me on my way. By 1993 I was making my living in the photography industry and I’ve never looked back. Although many years, assignments, cameras, film rolls, memory cards, and miles have passed, I still have a great love for visual story telling.

All these years working in photography has led me down many roads—concerts , presidential visits, catastrophes, and sporting events to name a few. I have shot for newspapers, studios, magazines, trade publications, universities, and politicians. Simply put, I love what I do. It takes me all over and introduces me to people I would never meet otherwise.

While I go on about my experiences, I do love the medium too. I stare at photos, studying them, watching their meaning and intensity change with time. I try to picture myself there (if I didn’t shoot it) and look around, envisioning what’s outside the frame. I imagine what the air felt like and think about the energy of the moment.

My work as a photojournalist has been particularly important and fulfilling to me. Delivering stories in such an immediate and universal way feels so powerful. Documenting history is an enormous privilege and responsibility. I’m happy I been able to do my part.