He failed film photography in high school. Now, he’s a creative force behind the lens—capturing emotion, mentoring students, and reigniting his passion with new purpose. This is the journey of a photographer who came back stronger than ever.

A Humble Beginning: When Photography Wasn’t the Plan

Not everyone starts out knowing their calling. For this photographer, the journey began with a rough start—failing film photography in high school. The setback led him to walk away from the camera for years.

But the story didn’t end there.

In college, something shifted. While pursuing other interests, he found himself naturally drawn to the elements of photography—composition, light, and perspective. He started experimenting with angles, learning what worked, and discovering how to make subjects look their best. What began as curiosity grew into something more.

Gaining Skills and Confidence Behind the Camera

After college, he joined a school portrait company. There, he received hands-on training in professional composition and posing techniques—learning how to capture the most flattering looks for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Between 2006 and 2013, he dove headfirst into freelance photography. He developed a distinctive style while covering weddings, family portraits, parties, and school events. But one genre stood out: sports candids.

“There’s something powerful about capturing athletes mid-action—those split-second moments of intensity and emotion,” he recalls. “And seeing those shots published in yearbooks and school newspapers made it even more meaningful.”

Life Takes a Turn: A Pause for Family

In 2013, life called him in a different direction. He made the difficult decision to step away from photography to focus on family. During that time, he worked in retail, customer service, and tech support—building people skills that would prove incredibly useful later on.

“I learned how to talk to anyone,” he says. “That ability to relate to people? It’s priceless when you’re behind the lens.”

A Daughter’s Inspiration: Returning to Photography in 2024

In 2024, something extraordinary happened—his daughter won a photography award in middle school. Watching her fall in love with the craft reminded him of his own passion, long set aside.

“She inspired me to pick the camera back up. And I realized, I missed it more than I thought.”

Since returning, he’s taken a fresh approach to photography—refining posing techniques, mastering the art of expression, and reconnecting with the joy of capturing real, unscripted moments.

A New Mission: Mentorship, Creativity, and Empowering Others

Now, in 2025, his focus is not only on taking beautiful photos—but also on sharing knowledge with others. His goal is to mentor aspiring photographers, models, and videographers, helping them grow with the tools and insights he’s picked up over the years.

Today, he serves as a tech support specialist and robotics coach at a middle school, where he’s passionate about helping kids thrive.

“Watching students succeed because someone believed in them—that’s the best feeling in the world,” he says. “It’s the same with photography. When you give someone a chance to shine, you capture something deeper than a pose—you capture pride, confidence, and authenticity.”

Final Thoughts

His story proves that it’s never too late to return to what you love. From failing a class to becoming a mentor and creative leader, his journey is a reminder that growth isn’t always a straight line.

What matters is showing up with heart, honesty, and a passion to create—and helping others find their own path along the way.