I am trained and educated in Psychology and Sociology from The Evergreen State College and have acquired a degree in Environmental Science and Technology at Clover Park Technical College. 

Behind each photo is a complexity of meaning due to my education. The phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” is just an individual’s perspective. Each photo can be viewed through the lens of one’s experiences and emotional state.

The history of my photography interest stems back to my grandfather Vernon Guy Clifford. A photograph shot on film in macro hung above his recliner - large snow mountain peaks rose brightly against the dark sky, or so I had thought. The snowy mountain peaks were ice crystals on top of his car early one morning. That photo inspired me from a young age to take on photography as my own form of artistic expression.

My photos come from being well aware of my surroundings. Internally I imagine how the final shot will look and edit the photo to convey that mental image. Although, I strive for the SOOC (straight out of the camera) shots, aka no edits.

Many times while venturing into the real world, what I see inspires me. Events attract me because they attract others. That is when I get most of my shots of people. Candids are much more fun than portraits. Life being lived is an expression that can never be staged. These moments are captured by the camera and my prefrontal cortex. Transcribed through programming and intent, the photos are edited and words are matched to the moment. 

By following my intuition, I have accomplished my goals of sharing my art and gaining personal experience, allowing me to grow as a person and an artist.