I started taking pictures at about 12 years old after my mom gave me my first camera (an Olympus Quickmatic). Mom was a professional photographer in the 50s and 60s until she died in 1968. I wish I could have learned more from her, but I didn't know photography was going to be my passion until 1993 when I took my first trip to Alaska on a small boat and attended the Art Institute of Seattle in the Portrait and Event program. My style tends to be pretty simple. I try to shoot natural images, because I still like the challenge of formulating the shot through the lens. I do like the ability to spot and crop that computers give us, but I try not to process too much. I can't stand overly processed images when they are passed off as the real thing (like changing the colors of a sunset). I can appreciate composites and the use of all the tricks, but I feel like it should be made known how much "trickery" was used, especially if they are used to enter contests. I have enjoyed *meeting* Flickrites around the world, many of whom I have re-met over at FB. My main subjects seem to be flowers and dogs and I am developing a love of macro photography.