The Early Years

Once I realized that I loved taking photos, I was constantly taking my moms camera. Now don't get me wrong, I was not a child prodigy photographer who took these amazing photos. Needless to say, I sucked. But, in my defense, I was only 3 years old when I took some of these photos. It seems quite obvious now looking back that I was meant to be a portrait photographer. I loved photographing people more than anything. Capturing what they looked like, how they changed, what they did. I have always said that anyone can take a beautiful landscape photo. It isn't hard. Mother nature is beautiful. She shows us every day. But, capturing a moment in time, a smile, a stare, a friend, a stranger, a memory is something special. Now, that does not mean that I am only going to post photos of people. I am very in love with some of my everyday, nothing special photos. They are what I do on my day off. When I just want to be on my own, wander around, and see what I can find. Some are during car rides, out the window, when just the changing of the seasons inspires me to get out with my camera and see all the beautiful colors that will change in a few weeks. But, lets not get ahead of ourselves, today is just about my beginning and the early photos that my little hands took back when they could barely hold the camera at all.....

My complete collection of all of the Wizard of Oz characters.

My sister showing how she really feels about me taking her photo.

Setting up my trolls for a family portrait.

Trying another pose.

Attempting to photograph family member in my brick house. 

A not so flattering photo of my Aunt Julia.

OK, so I cropped this one a little. It was quite off center, but see that camera? He is one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to my photography and has always supported me and my art.

Playing around with colors and looks.

A first experience with outdoor lighting

Watching the class pet.

Finally learning to center my image. It was a great thing to have a sister who loved to pose growing up.

Moving away from poses and trying to capture life as it happens.

Visiting Mom's friends in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Walking hand in hand.

My birthday cake. Is there a piece missing???

My Grandma holding our cat, Suzie, shortly after we got her. 

Suzie was also a great model. Put up with a lot of crap from me.

Jill taking a photo with "her"cat. (She wanted a dog, we got a hermit crab. She wanted a dog, we got a Guinea Pig. She wanted a dog, we got a cat. She wanted a dog.....we got a dog. The cat liked to sleep in my room, so pretty much became mine.)

Mom and daughter day at the Old Village Restoration in Old Westbury, NY. 

The cemetery at the Old Village Restoration.