04/09/2026
Q/A's - Photography
1) What kind of camera gear do you like working with?
That's a no brainer for me - Nikon! My Dad was the one that got me interested in photography at a young age. He worked with Nikon all of his life. He liked other cameras but Nikon was his go to! As I got older I became his apprentice if you will. I have a photo as a kid with my Dad telling me to use my camera strap. He was one that believed in wearing your neck strap. And that has been my thing too. I rarely go without my neck strap.
My very first camera was the Where's Waldo camera. I remember every time you took a picture he showed up in the shot. I believe the camera was blue too.
I wish I knew what my Dad's film camera was... I'd love to find that camera and use it.
My lenses range in 50mm, 28mm-300mm. I want a macro lense, and another lens that's 18mm-140mm.
My next camera was those disposable film cameras, then the disposal digital cameras. I purchased myself a fuiji point and shoot camera then bought my first Nikon camera, that was a Nikon D3100!
I took the fuji point and shoot camera to my first Peter Gabriel Concert for his New Blood album. Sadly I can't find those images, but I think I still have them as photos in a album some where that might be completely gone from when I last move.
I also have Nikon D5200, D7500 and my baby D750! I sold my D610, didn't really shoot much with that one. I had a film camera but during my move I lost track of it. That was a Nikon N60.
My full frame camera is the D750. I love that camera so much. I nicknamed it Chewie because the lens that's on it is heavy!
2) Did you ever work in film photography?
Yes, that's fun! Trying to figure out your settlings before you press the shutter. Fun fun! My Dad loved film. But it was getting harder and harder to find somewhere local to develop film. He would have a hard time when working in digital because he was so use to film that he would only shoot about 35 to 40 images. I had to keep reminding him that the memory cards could hold up more than just 40 images. Try over 100+!
Honestly I miss film photography, when you first start out into photography film should be the first thing you work in. Digital now a days make it so easy with it's settings, but in all seriouslness work in film too.
3) If someone is looking to get into photography what would you suggest?
Knowledge! Read books, search on youtube before you head out and buy. There is a lot of information out there at your finger tips. Use that first, otherwise if you buy gear first and start using it you'll get frustrated.
When trying to figure out what camera and what brand to buy is honestly what you are willing to spend and afford. You have many options and now a days even your phone has a camera. I will caution you, if you use your cell phone camera, and want to enlarge your image you will loose the integrity of the images.
Meaning the larger you go the more pixelization happens. That's why I'd suggest DSLR cameras. You won't loose the integrity of the image. Point and Shoot cameras are great they are great for point and shoot moments but again you deal with pixel integrity loss. I worked my way up over the years. Now I have some great gear that I love and can't do without.
3) What is your favorite thing to capture?
Oh that's tough because I don't like being put into a box. I like doing what ever catches my eye. Could be landscape, lighthouses, the golden hour, a moody day, pets etc. Anything that captures my eye. Sometimes I just go with my gut, sometimes I follow others sometimes I just like to be the outside looking in watching people it's pretty neat doing that at Longwood Gardens.
One time I watched this photography taking pictures of a model in the conservatory and I took shots of both of them. Watching them doing thier shoot. I always wondered how the photos for that photography came out.
4) What's your least favorite thing to capture?
Moment's that I missed or didn't have my camera ready. Also, when I didn't have memory cards on hand, or enough batteries even worse when you pick a battery and it's dead! Ugh, so now I make sure everything is ready. All of my equipment is ready for the shoot day before, not day of. I have learned that I can miss something when rushing around to get to my destination. I rather avoid that altogether.
5) Recently you mention you lost your back up for your images, what would you suggest to someone who has gone through the same thing?
To write down when things expire. LOL. Seriously, if you already establish your back up website, I did with SmugMug. I love SmugMug, not only are the helpful, they also get back with you within 24 hours. Or so that's my experience with them.
When you are looking for a place to back up your images, I always say research. Research, compare websites and see from there. Do you want to keep things in a 1tb storage portable device and possibly loose that item, or go online to a website and upload your images. It's all about what you a) feel comfortable with and b) what you can afford. With all hobbies sometimes one might be better than the other for you. Don't write off one or the other right away too.
Once you figure out what you want to do, back up each photo session that you do. I have a digital copy and a hard copy so I know where things are and what folders. Sometimes I don't feel like logging into the website so hard paper copy lets me to view what I wrote and go from there.
At the end of the day just make sure you keep your payment updated if you go online to a website. And when the renewal is going to happen.
6) How do you feel about copyright infringement?
Copyright infringement is no joke, you don't take that lightly. I would say research about it. Research, also research this for USA and outside of USA too. I won't go too much into it because there is a lot that goes into it. Definitely protect yourself when it comes to your photography.
7) Who is your favorite photographer?
Is it sad that I don't have a favorite photographer...
😎 Do you have a favorite artist?
Yes I do Leonardo da Vinci. He was beyond his time!
There is also Wyeth, Andrew! Actually the whole family is my favorite as well!
9) If you could do a photoshoot with someone famous, who would it be? And why?
A few people actually... Sarah Brightman, I'd love to work with her and Tobias Forge the master mind of Ghost. I am a fan of both, I greatly appreciate both of their visions and would love to be apart of it. It would not only give me an amazing opportunity to work with people I highly respect but it would also force me to get out of my comfort zone too.
10) What's your plans for 2026 in photography?
Oh, that's going to be a surprise... you will need to stay tune to find out what happens.
