Fine Art Background & Artistic Practice

I earned my Master of Fine Arts in Photography from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where I specialized in studio lighting and commercial photography. That foundation in fine art photography continues to inform every professional project I undertake—from pet portraits to corporate headshots.

Exhibitions & Recognition

My work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions across the United States:

Solo Exhibition

  • Washington State University Exhibition Center, March 2011

Selected Group Exhibitions

  • 1650 Gallery, Dogs, Dogs, Dogs, Los Angeles, CA (2010)

  • Projekt 30, Wild Life (2010)

  • Allied Arts Annual Juried Show (2010)

  • Washington State University Tri-Cities Chancellor's Exhibition Series (2008-2009)

  • PDN Photo Annual, Personal Projects Division (2008)

  • Lexington Art League, *Photography NOW* Juried Show, Lexington, KY (2006) - Juror: Sam Abell

Awards & Recognition

  • Moscow International Foto Award, Honorable Mention (2015)

  • PDN Faces Competition, Animal Category (2009)

  • Academy of Art University Spring Show, Third Place Fine Art Portfolio (2009)

  • Rising Star of Photography (2009), Jurors: Tom Hubbard, Reid Callanan, Andrew Darlow, David Saffir

  • Humanitarian Award Nominee, American Dog Magazine, Photographer/Artist/Veterinarian Category (2010)

Publications

  • Shelter Cats (author/photographer)

  • Shelter Puppies (author/photographer)

Lectures & Media Appearances

  • Washington State University Liberal Arts Lecture Series (2010)

  • NPR Dog Talk (2010, 2011)

  • Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius/XM (2010)

  • Animal Radio, various North American stations and XM Radio (2010)

  • Cat Chat, Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius/XM (2010)

  • KVEW-TV Good Morning Northwest (2010, 2011)

Permanent Collections

Fine Art Meets Commercial Practice

My MFA training emphasized technical mastery and conceptual depth. I studied lighting not just as a technical skill but as a language—a way to shape mood, direct attention, and create meaning within the frame. I learned to see light the way a painter sees color, and that understanding shapes how I approach every photograph.

The commercial applications of this training are direct. Studio lighting skills translate to controlled, consistent results. Fine art training in composition and visual storytelling helps me create images that go beyond simple documentation. Understanding art history and visual culture helps me recognize what makes an image compelling rather than merely competent.

Technical Approach

My approach to photography draws from both traditional and contemporary techniques:

Alternate Processes: I work with cyanotypes and Van Dyke Brown printing for archival fine art editions, bringing darkroom sensibility to contemporary work.

Infrared Photography: I explore the invisible spectrum for ethereal animal portraiture and experimental personal projects.

Large Format Printing: I produce museum-quality archival prints that meet exhibition and permanent collection standards.

Digital Workflow: My contemporary digital process integrates fine art principles with commercial efficiency for client deliverables.

This technical foundation means your pet portrait or professional headshot receives the same attention to lighting, composition, and print quality as work I've exhibited in galleries or published in books.

From Fine Art to Professional Photography

My path into pet photography began with a fine art project photographing shelter animals. I wanted to create images that showed these animals as individuals rather than statistics, and I wanted to use museum-quality printing and presentation to elevate their stories.

That project led to my published books on shelter animals, media appearances discussing animal welfare photography, and ultimately shaped my approach to professional pet photography. The same technical precision and artistic attention I brought to exhibited work now informs every client session.

Continuing Practice

I maintain my fine art practice alongside my commercial work. I continue to photograph shelter animals weekly at Pima Animal Care Center and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, and I pursue personal projects that push my technical and creative skills.

This ongoing practice keeps my approach fresh and prevents my commercial work from becoming formulaic. The MFA isn't just a credential—it's a foundation that continues to inform how I see, how I light, and how I approach every photograph I create.

Close-up portrait of a smiling bald man with light-colored eyes, wearing a black and white plaid shirt, against a blue background.