Biography
Raised in Wheaton, Ill., I am the oldest son of 10 children. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in May 1996.
With only a high school photography class to guide me, I joined the photo staff of The Daily Illini student newspaper during my sophomore year in college. A quick addict to capturing the funny, sad, surprised and mundane moments in people's lives, I worked my way up from assistant photo editor for the college yearbook to photo editor for the college newspaper.
Foresaking the business world, I decided to make a go of a photography career. With no job and no place to live, I headed west to Seattle with a friend. Luck was on my side. I established freelance work and quickly landed an internship with The (Bremerton) Sun. After eight months at The Sun, I changed directions again and went south to a job in Destin, Fla., as art director and photographer for a twice-weekly newspaper, The Destin/Walton Log.
After two years in the sun, I headed back north for a job with The Journal-Standard, a daily newspaper in Freeport, Ill. I now work for Hollinger International and my photographs are published in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Southtown newspaper, The Star newspaper and Elite magazine based in Tinley Park, Ill.
In an effort to expand my horizons and finally put that business degree to use, I co-founded the 800LB Gorillas with graphic artist Ryan Brockmeier and DJ Risky Bizness.
Whether you are looking for a portrait or coverage of a special event, I can bring my 12 years of experience and background to work for you.