Current Schedule of Courses

About Me:
I came kicking and screaming into the world in Fresno, California.  I lived there with my three siblings until graduating from Clovis West High School.  While taking mostly college preparatory courses there, I found my way into a darkroom and fell in love with photography. The stink of the chemicals, the gadgetry of the equipment, and most importantly finding a simple love of subject all drew out the until then silent artist.  I mostly wandered around with a roll of Plus-X until I found something that drew me to it every afternoon when I got home from school.  I was a "photo-nerd" from that point on.

I spent five semesters at CSU Fresno and six semesters at San Francisco State University most of that time dreaming about my summers working at Hume Lake Christian Camps.  Nonetheless, I managed to acquire two Bachelors of Arts degrees, graduating with honors, and still had twenty dollars in my pocket.  My photography balanced between San Francisco's urban settings and the natural wonders of the Kings Canyon National Park.

Finding that twenty dollars doesn't get you far, I spent the next few years substitute teaching and sneaking off to the mountains as often as possible.  I was pressed into service as a English and then History teacher in the High Desert above Los Angeles; not entirely out of my will, but certainly not in my plans.  After a long talk with my best friend and adventure buddy, I entered a teaching credential program and managed to acquire a Masters of Education in Cross Cultural Teaching. 

From 2001-2007, I taught traditional (chemical, wet process), Art Photography to first, second, and third year students in Manteca, California.  My students amazed me with their sensitivity and artistic expression, not to mention their sense of fun in making art.  Each summer found me on the road taking more and more rolls of film to the lab and into the darkroom.  At some point every photographer starts to hear about this new form called "Digital Photography", and yes I finally submitted to the call of progress.  With the first purchase of a new Digital SLR, I accidentally went into my own business shooting portraits.  This was an area of photography that I was anemic at best toward until then.  Working mainly with senior pictures, engagement (and an occasional wedding- NO MAS), and events I found that I connected my vision with happy clients.  Although I am primarily an art photographer, I feel deep satisfaction in portrait work now.  In the Summer of 2007, I took additional course work at the Academy of Art in San Francisco to develop a deeper understanding of the digital aspect of the art.

(portraits courtesy of Rok Borstnik 2007)

I continue to explore the world through photography and most recently through motorcycle touring.  In 2007, I rode a R1150GSA motorcycle from Cape Cod, Massachusetts North to Nova Scotia, headed west across Canada to Deadhorse, Alaska and then home during the summer of 2007.  Taking only a point and shoot digital camera, I fell in love again with composition and the world as it opened around me.

In 2008, I traveled on a Triumph Tiger through Europe from Dublin, Ireland to Macedonia, west to Spain and then returned to Dublin. Partially for adventure and partly for art: I was part of a video production involved in shooting a travel/tour presentation of the countries that made up the former Yugoslavia. It proved to be one of the most challenging experiences of my life. It was truly amazing and could not have been accomplished without the hard work of the crew.

This last summer found me back on the road. I travelled to Key West (Florida), Madawaska (Maine), Neah Bay (Washington) and then returned to our own Border Field Park here in San Diego. I was overwhelmed how generous and helpful people were everywhere I went. We are very lucky to live in such a diverse and beautiful country.

I feel privileged to have found CCA and am looking forward to the work in Digital Photography.  I consider it a joy to be able to work with high school students and so look forward to each new year of teaching. Let’s get to work!