Onwards: A Journey from Guitars to Glass
2024 Pensacola Beach
Just a dad with a Canon RP chasing his kids down the beach with an oversized lens. Worth it.
As a fickle guitarist, I’ve always bartered and swapped my way through gear. I was never one to spend money lightly — especially as a father of four. Instead, I wheeled and dealed my way around Oklahoma, trading with other musicians across the Sooner State to get my hands on different guitars, pedals, and amps. That’s how I discovered my genuine love for Fender Stratocasters. While I love the look of a Telecaster, I just can’t with its tone. Same with Les Pauls — I LOVE the way they look, but the tone never matched what was in my head. Same with amps — From Marshall and Mesa Boogie to Vox and even Bad Cat, to finally landing on a Fender Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue — The tone that finally matches what I have in my head and heart!
Then in late 2022, I got a wild offer: someone wanted to trade a Canon Rebel D2000 for some guitar gear I had listed. I'd always admired photography as an art form, but up to that point, I’d never seriously considered it for myself. What makes a great photo anyway—is it more about the gear or the person behind it? Kind of like music: does a good guitar make a good song, or does the musician bring it to life?
“I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. I hope it leaves behind more than just pictures—maybe a deeper understanding of art for me, a few powerful memories for the families I photograph, and maybe even the spark of creativity and entrepreneurship for my kids, too.”
That trade came with the camera and a “nifty fifty” lens—and that was it for me. I dove headfirst into every tutorial, guide, and video I could find. As many do, I started in “Auto” and quickly realized I wanted more control over the final result. That led me to AV. Which was great for a season, but I discovered I needed even more control — Onto M mode I went! I started by photographing my kids (both candid and very posed) and stalking the deer around Lake Humphreys near Duncan. I had no clue where it would lead, only that I loved every second of it. The challenge of learning and sharpening new skills — That’s the good stuff!
A few swaps later, I had upgraded to some real gear, and by March 2024, I booked my first client session. It wasn’t glamorous—just a couple of dogs and a cat. I brought along my EF L 85 f/1.2, a 200W off-camera flash, a blanket, and a few squeaky toys. The dogs were cooperative. Even the cat played along!
Since then, I’ve photographed graduating seniors, kindergartners, families, and portraits of all kinds. There have been plenty of growing pains—missed shots, cringeworthy edits, and the kind of trial-and-error that comes with learning something new—but I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.
I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. I hope it leaves behind more than just pictures—maybe a deeper understanding of art for me, a few powerful memories for the families I photograph, and maybe even the spark of creativity and entrepreneurship for my kids, too.
If you’re looking for someone who’s as passionate about capturing your moment as you are about living it, I’d love to talk. Check out our Facebook, Instagram, send an email, or submit a contact request. Let’s create something meaningful, honest, and beautiful—together.
