Where My Photography Journey Began

My passion for photography was ignited early—with my very first Polaroid camera. I remember thinking I had made it—like I was one step away from being featured in a magazine.

And let’s not forget the part where you’d stand there, shaking that little piece of cardboard like it might magically make the perfect picture appear faster.

Did that actually work? I still don’t know.

Not long after that, I inherited my mom’s Kodak 110 film camera. And if you know anything about those… well, let’s just say the results were questionable at best.

I still remember handing a stranger a mystery roll of film at the bright-yellow-roofed Fotomat and counting down the days until I could pick up my photos. There was nothing like that feeling—the anticipation of seeing what I had captured.

And then I’d open that little envelope…
…only to realize half of the pictures were blurry.

Some were so out of focus you couldn’t even tell what they were supposed to be.
Heads were cut off.
The sky made more appearances than it should have.
And I’m fairly certain the ground had its moment too.

And honestly… I’m still not entirely sure what I was aiming at half the time.

But none of that mattered.

Because even then, I loved it—the idea of capturing a moment, even if it didn’t quite turn out the way I imagined. When I dig through my archive of old photos, it’s sometimes hard to look at them. But the truth is, we all have to start somewhere.

I like to think those early photos taught me two things:
how not to take a picture… and how much I loved trying anyway.

Eventually I got my first “real” camera—a Canon EOS Rebel—and took my first photography class.

That’s when things started to shift.

One of my first assignments—learning to see movement differently.

I began to understand that photography wasn’t just about pointing and clicking—it was about light, perspective, timing… and a whole lot of patience.

Later, I upgraded to the camera I still use today, my Canon EOS 60D, along with a growing collection of lenses that I definitely convinced myself I needed. I pored over it like it was a technological marvel—like a caveman who had just discovered fire.

And of course, I can’t forget my trusty little sidekick—my iPhone, which has captured more everyday moments than I can count.

Some of my earliest photography memories include my son, Tristan—who very patiently served as my model while I experimented with lighting, angles, and settings.

And when I say patiently… I mean very patiently.

Looking back, I’m pretty sure he endured more “just one more picture” moments than any kid should have to.

And somehow, he always managed to make it easy—those bright blue eyes always finding the light in a way I was still learning how to do.

Around that same time, I spent countless hours photographing life alongside my best friend, Dina.

We were always out somewhere with our cameras in hand—exploring, learning, experimenting, and capturing anything that caught our eye (and often each other).

Somewhere between learning settings and chasing light… we were just making memories.

Dina has always been one of my biggest inspirations—and one of the most positive voices encouraging my creativity, especially during the moments when my own confidence wasn’t quite as strong. And I can only hope I’ve been even a small part of that same encouragement for her.

The camera soon became one of my strongest ways of expressing myself. It was by my side during the blissful moments, like my son’s theatre performances, and the darker reflective ones too—like walking through an old cemetery and thinking about how short life was back then.

If you’re wondering what I love photographing most, the answer is simple:

the things that tell a story— the kind you don’t want to forget.

Architecture, landscapes, classic diners, incredible food… and the unexpected little things you might otherwise drive right past.

And if you asked me, “If nobody ever saw my photos, would I still keep shooting?” 

My answer would always be a resounding yes.

Because for me, it’s never just about getting the perfect shot—
it’s about capturing the moment… even if I don’t always get it quite right.