Ever since I received my first camera as a  birthday present (a sweet Kodak 126 Instamatic, if you must know) I've been interested in photography. An interest that was fueled further through quality time with my father, his Canon AE-1, and the darkroom in the Science Building at Williams College.

The purchase of my first digital camera in 2002 stoked that interest into a full and true passion. I have fostered friendships with professional photographers, and have taken time to pick their brains whenever possible. I think a few of their techniques have stuck.

The difference between them and me is this: I don't do this for a living. I do it for fun.

What that means for you is you don't need to pay me session fees or sitting fees or anything. I don't want the hassles of paying self-employment taxes or any of that business stuff. I just want to take fabulous pictures. 

What I offer

If you ask me to take your picture, I will work with you to determine a date, time and a place that works for you and for me. I will spend about an hour taking the pictures of the subjects that you request. I can do posed group shots, or I can take candids at an informal event. (I don't, at this time, do formal events like weddings. At least not solo. I don't have the right equipment for that.)  Okay… So maybe I have shot a few weddings. By super special request.

Once the session is over, I take the pictures home, clean them up and share the best ones with you. I will then help you decide which ones to get prints of, along with where to get those prints, and what sizes will work best.

I won't actually make, resell, or frame prints for you, as I believe that those services would require that I charge you. And that would mean I'd need to hire an accountant. I don't want to hire an accountant. (But I can advise you on where to get great prints, so you can get them yourself.)

All I ask in return is that you let me use some of your images on my website to promote myself to others. That's all. End of contract.

So, you don't take payment? How exactly does that work?

Yeah. It's sort of un-capitalistic, isn't it? Here's the deal: if you like the results, and you want to express your gratitude, rather than paying me, I would rather you instead make a charitable donation that helps to improve the lives of those less fortunate than you and me. Like, maybe one of these worthy charities:

• Loving Arms Mission

• Philabundance or some other local food bank

• FeelGood

• Or some other organization that is making the lives of those less fortunate better in a way that you care passionately about.

Make the donation in your own name. You don't have to tell me that you did, although I would appreciate knowing that you appreciated the work. That's all. End of contract.

(Now, having said all of that, if you like what you see and you want to help out with ongoing expenses, equipment upgrades, keeping this website up and running, all of that, I do have a virtual Tip Jar available. No obligation necessary.)