DAVE ALLENSON TOOK MY PHOTO..

I started my railroad photography with the help of long time friend and terrible driver Mark Llanuza, who has never let dates, facts or beer get in the way of making a good story.

I am married with a great son, Samuel.

We have five dogs, five cats, two african finches.

(Will deliver cats).

I am a retired fire prevention officer with the Atlanta (Illinois) Fire Department, which at one time was my second career choice.

In 2017 I retired from The Pantagraph, based out of Bloomington, Illinois after a 40 year career as a photojournalist there, at the Peoria Journal-Star and several smaller papers.

I continue to do freelance and contract photography and can be reached at 309 336 1071 cell or smedsphoto@gmail.com

My website is smedsphoto.com