I began my passion for photography at the age of seven or eight, when I got my first camera and began spending all of my money on film. I eventually built a darkroom and went on to win photography accolades throughout high school.

I earned a BFA at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and then a master's degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I focused on art and visual perception. While attending MIT, I was a TA in an architectural photography course for undergraduates. Over the years I've taught photography at the college level. Most recently, I've been conducting workshops in dog photography and Photoshop.

My career has taken many interesting twists and turns. I've held positions as a starving artist, special effects designer, market researcher, and commercial photographer. I started Top Dog Imaging in January 2006.

I bought my first digital SLR camera in 2004. Our pet dog Jazz (pictured above with me) often ended up being the subject of my photographs. Over the years, she has become an excellent doggie model and I've become an experienced dog photographer.