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Learn More About Michael's Experience:

football Football - the great American Sport of Gladiators. I always felt that way as I put on my armor and mentally prepared for the battle ahead. Piece by piece the uniform is assembled and protection from the coming contest is felt with every one. Was I ready? Had I trained enough, both mentally and physically? These answers come on the 'field of battle'. Do I play for myself, for the team mate next to me, for the team and the school? Yes, yes, and yes !! Football is truly 'The Game of Life'. It not only teaches teamwork, but it also teaches one to push the perceived physical and mental limits of ones self. As well, strategy, improvisation during a 'busted' play, loyalty, friendship, sorrow, 'can do' attitude, and possibly above all the rest - respect for your opponent (win or lose). I took the field from 6th grade through college and was a 1st string player every game. Throughout the 11 years of playing I missed starting only one game (due to a knee injury). It was a College Championship game and I was right there with my team the whole time. I encouraged so much from the sideline that I couldn't talk when the game was over, but I did cry ... we lost in the last few seconds ... For young people to understand not only the game, but all the tangents that go with it is truly the gift of Football and all team sports combined. I will be very proud to instruct, train, tell stories if need be so that this American Legacy can continue. photography Photography - It is an art form in itself. Many people think it is so easy to just push a button and then you have a photograph ... Not So! You may have a picture but a photograph is truly something else. For a serious photographer the photo begins long before the shutter release is pushed ... I have been a photographer since 1980 - Majored in Art with a Photography emphasis - Following college I can't tell you how many weddings and portraits I have shot. I can tell you that people's reactions have ranged from "Beautiful", "Powerful", "Stunning", to "Oh My!" I have seen mothers cry while reviewing their daughter's Bridal Portrait session... I believe I have had reactions like these because upon approach, the shoot begins. Think - conditions, natural lighting, background, posing, interaction, look natural, color, make depth of field work for the photograph (f-stops), angles, focus, reflections, is there a story to tell, ... etc. Before the shutter is released a thousand different calculations race through the mind of a True Photographer. With my experience as a professional and lover of great photography, I feel that the knowledge I have needs to be passed on to those others that believe one single moment in time can tell a story of what happened up to that second or project what is to come from that point forward. It will be my pleasure to work with people, young or old, that truly believe photography is more than just a picture.