My background has had some variety, but the common thread has been my passion for photography and aviation. Since my childhood I have been fascinated by aircraft, mainly helicopters. My aunt lived near the local trauma hospital that had an on-site CareFlite medical helicopter base. I would always ask when going over see her if we could go by the parking lot where the helipad was located. Just the sight of it made me wonder what the experience of flying on board would be like. My sights were set and in my early 20s I was working as a 911 paramedic at CareFlite. My photography skills were also used when I was asked to start shooting their public relations materials.

My passion for photography led me to start learning studio lighting and other aspects of commercial photography. I had the opportunity to go and work as an assistant on a major motion picture that was shooting for four months straight. I gained valuable experience from one of Hollywood's best still photographers. My confidence was gained and I began shooting as a freelance photojournalist for a few years. I then took a position at Bell Helicopter Textron for almost 11 years, where I became their senior staff photographer, responsible for shooting public relations and marketing materials including the yearly calendar. My assignments took me all over the world and allowed me to gain my flight experience as an aerial photographer with some of the best pilots in the industry.

My background in photojournalism, commercial photography, and emergency medicine all combined to give me a unique view of the industry. My previous experience as a 911 paramedic and an extensive background in helicopter activity have allowed me to be accepted by flight crews as one of them. EMS and law enforcement aviation units both hold very similar requirements and an emphasis on mission readiness. It has been a smooth transition from covering one to the other.

For the past two years I have been shooting commercial work for numerous corporations and publications throughout North America. It has been an exciting time and having the opportunity to be a contributing photographer to Vertical has been outstanding. Having some of the best aerial photography talent in the industry brought into one group has been inspirational for me. I learned from my days at the newspaper that having a large staff of strong photographers collaborating together inspires us to become better at what we do best. The team at Vertical is no exception, and I am grateful to be a part of that network.