As a junior in high school, I had a choice to make. My dad was very much in favor of me taking the path he favored, engineering. I had shown some abilities there – state science fair, good test scores. But I was drawn to photography and writing. We split the difference. I spent my first two years in college as an engineering student, then finished with a photojournalism degree. I lived through the analog to digital transition in photography and print journalism.
I worked in Midland, Texas, first as a photographer, writer and page designer for the local newspaper. My father-in-law’s enthusiastic embrace of geology convinced me I would enjoy it too. I picked up two degrees in geology. Ten years in the energy industry was eye-opening, as I was allowed to prospect, sell and oversee high-dollar exploration and development projects. But it also included a collapse of this part of the economy. With the help of Rotary International, my family and I left Texas for a year to live in Australia. I studied the Great Barrier Reef and finished the field work for my masters thesis. Returning to Texas, and a dormant energy industry, I rekindled my writing and photography skills, this time taking my new geologic knowledge along for the ride, producing stories and photos of an industry on a slow rebound. My wife and I freelanced in film production, and after several location scouting assignments for major film and advertising clients, I approached the chamber of commerce about opening a proper film office. I had also been contributing photos to their slick, four-color magazine. The interim director liked my film office concept. Instead, he offered me a job in communications and membership.
Taken aback (no one had been hiring in Midland for years) I still decided to jump in to the chamber world. Eventually – with tons of training – I took the helm of the Nacogdoches Chamber, then on to Longmont, Colorado and then San Angelo, Texas.
Just before the pandemic, I ventured into real estate. I am enjoying the challenges and rewards of working closely with clients who are trying to either buy or sell their properties in a high stakes environment.
Speaking of photography, below you’ll find just a few images. I’ll be adding a lot more soon.
Here are just a few writing samples .
Informal executive headshots and photojournalistic environmental portraits:
Lifestyle, event, architectural and nature photographs:
Continue reading “Work”
