In the summer of 2008 I retired from teaching, bought my first digital camera and began to take pictures. In these last couple of years I have been blessed to win a few awards and contests and had my photographs chosen to be displayed as a one person show at the Kirtland College Art Gallary. My images are simple and straight forward and I try to capture all the common things outside our doors that are interesting, quite beautiful and often go unnoticed. I feel there are great photographs waiting to be found everywhere, everyday, and I continually search for that elusive perfect shot where the light, subject matter and camera functions all line up. I have been told that photography is like cocaine, it is addictive and expensive. It is obvious I am addicted, as I constantly try to capture images that are interesting, pleasant and make someone want to smile out loud. I feel it is an incredible accomplishment when someone likes my work enough to want to purchase one of my photographs for their home. Will Connor states that “it takes the vision of an artist along with the tenacity of a hunter, to find a great photograph in nature.” I hope to someday take a great photograph.