I have been taking pictures since I was about six years old. I started out with an instamatic camera with cartridge film and flash cubes and quickly progressed to using my Dad's 35 mm. My Dad and I used to develop pictures in a dark room at home, and now much of what we did then - you do on a computer now.

I did get a 35mm for my 9th birthday - -an Argus C3 - that was antique - and totally manual. I learned how to use a light meter, and about F stops, film speed, and depth of field.

I started entering photography contests and at age 11, I won first place at the Riley Festival photo contest - - beating out adults. My photo was of a blacksmith. It was done in black and white - and not only did I take it - - but I printed it too.

Dad bought me my own SLR - Pentax ME with a zoom lens - when I was a senior in high school. I believe he was tired of me "borrowing" one of his cameras all of the time. That year, I joined the yearbook staff - -and wanted to be the photographer. However, they made me editor. No matter - -I still took lots of pictures - -and some ended up in the yearbook.

I have entered many photography contests over the years. I have won several awards - -including best of show at the Indianapolis Power and Light Camera Club Photo Contest.

I also did some wedding photography as a freelance photographer. Sometimes I worked with Dad, and sometimes I was on my own.

I stuck with film for many years - - and my Dad knew I wanted a digital camera. The year was 2009, and he had been fighting pancreatic cancer. And on Christmas morning - he gave me my first digital camera. He would pass away a few days later. I inherited his digital 35 mm - a Pentax K200D. I have since passed that camera onto my oldest daughter, and in 2015, I bought a new Pentax K-3.

I love photography and enjoy taking pictures. I also enjoy editing the photos and adding some special effects - - much of what I used to do in the dark room - - is now done on the computer. I have been told I have "the eye" for photography - so see what you think?