Time for Me to Fly

In March 2003 I began Picture Ohio, LLC as my full-time practice in both professional assignment and fine art print photography. Since that time I've expanded my services to include family and senior portraits, stock image licensing and most recently, local and destination photography workshops here in Ohio.

I've been immensely blessed with many rewarding experiences and wonderful clients, from editorial to corporate to educational institutions to non-profit organizations to the great people I've met through my workshops. I am so fortunate to be able to pursue my passion for both photography and teaching photography in the area where I grew-up - Dayton, Ohio - and coming to know and love the natural beauty of my home state and the unique light of Ohio's four distinct seasons. I am grateful to all those who have supported my photographic endeavors and followed my work over the years. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

But now the time has come for a change. At 46 years of age I've come to know and appreciate the fact that whenever we become too comfortable in our routines, and more and more the results of our efforts produce diminishing returns, then it's a good idea to push one self and take to the road again, expanding horizons and re-energizing the creative and growth processes through new opportunities and surroundings.

As of April 1, 2011 I will officially be a resident of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The Carolina "Low Country" has always played an important role in my life, since first visiting Hilton Head during my high school years in the early 80's to three months during the summer of '83 at MCRD Parris Island to the year I lived and worked in Charleston, from '96 to '97. The natural beauty of the tidelands is something that takes a firm hold within the creative spirit of artists and writers and is hard to resist. The closeness and intimacy with the nature and wildlife of the coastal marshlands, maritime forests and beaches has an allure that becomes more and more difficult to resist with each passing - albeit quite slowly - Ohio winter.

There are a number of personal reasons for my move as well. Most recent was the health scare I experienced last October with what the cardiologist described as a "small heart attack." That was the final wake-up call to get myself to an environment that is healthier - physically, mentally and emotionally, not only for me but for my daughters as well. There's also the fact that this move helps support what I've come to value just as much as the time I have available to be with my daughters, that being the peace that can only come from the love of family. Although I'm grateful for the opportunities that I've had to grow my photography practice in Dayton, there's been some other unusual "obstacles" and challenges that have taken their toll.

There's no doubt I will miss my favorite local MetroParks - Cox and Sugarcreek - and of course, Hocking Hills State Park. But I will be back, perhaps to present a workshop or two. I'll miss all the great friends I've made through my photography including my regulars at my workshops, local creative associations such as the Dayton Creative Syndicate, corporate clients, editorial contacts with regional publications and fellow photographers through my involvement with Professional Photographers of Ohio.

I'm looking forward to all the new friends, clients, workshop attendees and art gallery owners on and near Hilton Head Island (who just might like having some Ohio landscape prints displayed to mix things up a bit).

I'm excited. My daughters are excited. I'm energized and optimistic about this new adventure and chapter in my life. Calmphotos.com will continue, so be sure to check-in once in a while or subscribe to the RSS feed for news on my photography in the "Light of the Low Country."