I’ve always enjoyed taking photos, but didn’t really get serious about it until 2003 when I got my first job out of college - a TV reporter/photojournalist/editor in Wausau, Wis. I liked being able to literally see my work and share it with other people.
Then I bought a nice new 35 mm film camera, thinking I’d be able to get some great still photos. But they mostly turned out lousy, so I kind of lost interest. Didn’t help that I had to spend the little disposable money that I had on film and film development before knowing how the images would turn out.
Eventually, the woman I later married got a decent digital camera, so I played around with that and found my interest rekindled. After a few years, I felt like I was starting to outgrow it and wanted something better.
Two days after Christmas 2014, I bought my first DSLR camera - a Nikon D5200. It’s what I use today, along with a bunch of accessories I’ve picked up over the years. I love shooting landscapes and cityscapes, especially at sunrise and sunset. Most of it happens in Middleton, Wis. where I live. When I go on vacation, my favorite thing to do is take photos. Even when I don’t necessarily feel like going out with my camera, I’ve never regretted doing so when I get back.
So, what is it about photography that gives me juice? I guess I just like being able to get away from people and having a unique way of capturing the world as I see it.