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Yes, I Am a Photographer—But First, I Am an Artist

I’ve totally lost count of the number of times someone has said to me, “Wow, your camera takes such nice pictures!” While I know it’s often meant as a compliment, I can’t help but feel the sting of misunderstanding. My camera is a tool—just like a paintbrush is to a painter or a chisel to a sculptor. The magic doesn’t come from the tool; it comes from the artist behind it.

Yes, I am a photographer. But first, I am totally an artist.

Photography is not just about clicking a button. It is about vision, emotion, and storytelling. It is about seeing light in a way that others don’t, composing a scene with intention, and breathing life into an image through post-processing. A camera, no matter how expensive, does not create art. The person wielding it does.

I have been behind the camera since I was a child, and I assisted in my first professional photography session in 1998. Those experiences have totally cemented my love for photography and my understanding that it’s so much more than just snapping a picture—it’s about creating something that makes people feel. It’s about capturing the in-between moments, the unspoken emotions, and the fleeting glances that might otherwise be forgotten. It’s about telling a story in a single frame, one that resonates long after the moment has passed.

To illustrate my point, I want to show you a before-and-after transformation of my fine art photography.

The ‘before’ image represents what the camera captures on its own—a flat, unrefined starting point. The ‘after’ image represents my artistic vision—how I see the world and how I shape the final image through editing, color grading, and enhancement of light and texture. It is my artistry that brings the final image to life, not the camera.

When someone picks up a high-end camera, they may get a well-exposed image, but without an artistic eye, it totally lacks soul. A true artist knows how to mold light, direct subjects, and weave emotion into the frame. A true artist doesn’t just document; they create. They take an ordinary scene and transform it into something extraordinary. They see beauty where others see the ordinary, and they bring that vision to life with passion and skill.

This is why I pour my heart into every single session, every single image. Because it’s not just about taking pictures—it’s about creating art. It’s about making people feel something when they look at an image, whether it’s joy, nostalgia, or even a sense of wonder. My work isn’t just about capturing faces; it’s about capturing souls, emotions, and the essence of a moment.

So the next time you see a super breathtaking image, remember—it’s not just about the camera. It’s about the artist who saw the magic before the shutter even clicked. It’s about the years of experience, the creative vision, and the passion that turns a simple photograph into a masterpiece.

Because photography isn’t just what I do, it’s a part of my soul & art is who I am.

Are you ready to experience photography as art? Let’s create something extraordinary together. Whether it’s a fine art portrait, a storytelling session, or capturing your most cherished moments in a unique and artistic way, I’d love to bring your vision to life. Reach out and let’s make magic happen!