It all started in the summer of 1987 when I had one of those life altering revelations - work related accident - that changed my life forever. One day while I was on a stationary bike doing my physical therapy, I was looking through a magazine and noticed an ad for a new start up business doing aerial photography from the 'GROUND'. It was about taking aerial photos using a helium filled mini- blimp with a camera mounted under the blimp. Well, that certainly got my attention.

The photographer/operator would wear a chest-pack that had the controls on it that operated the shutter release, pan, tilt, zoom in/out, that he used to control the balloon and camera system from the ground. It looked like something I could handle by my-self and I would love doing it. There was only one obstacle, I didn't know anything about photography, I didn't even know what a shutter release was. I had a lot to learn.

A few years later I bought the system and started learning of the challenges of how to operate the system, the mini-blimp, camera, (Nikon N8008s SLR w/ a Nikkor 28-85mm lens) and operating the business part of it. The learning curve was incredible. I did it part time for a few years an loved it.

Then in the winter of 1999 we had a snow storm that tore the sunlight/vent off the top of my trailer and the balloon got wet an froze and damaged it beyond repair. So, I had to put it on the back burner for awhile to help with other priorities. I feel like I could write a book about my experiences I had. I love to take pictures that people will enjoy looking at.

This is pretty much my interest, specialties and goals in the world of photography. I have to scan my aerials since they're all on film. Who knows, you just might recognize some of the places.