How A Software Engineer Became A Photograper

From Code to Camera: A Columbus Photographer's Journey

I spent my life in a juxtaposition.

My father was a laborer who pushed his sons to learn technology. The internet was burgeoning and it was a time where I spent hours editing files in MSDOS in order to get my new favorite game, Tie Fighter for instance, working. I spent hours on mIRC across a 4800 baud modem. I remember installing a CD-ROM into our computer. My father was disabled and couldn't work outside the home, he was not allowed to drive, he turned to the internet to meet friends and talk to people.

My mother on the other hand was technology challenged. She spent her time counseling addicts, a woman interacting with the people in the real world. She was a creative though. Watercolors and needlepoint were her mediums of choice.

One of my father's hobbies was to make candles. He'd go through the process of dipping and pouring, my mother would decorate them.

This is what ultimately led this software engineer to become a photographer.

Finding My Path Through People

I trained for years to interact with people, discover their challenges, and then deconstruct a problem into code to solve the issue. Later, I managed teams that executed the work. My days were spent observing and listening to people, coaching them, convincing others about my approach.

I reached a point where I needed to do the same but in the real world, step outside and out from a screen. I traded a laptop monitor for a camera's viewfinder.

As much as I love being outside, I found landscapes difficult. The best shots involved hiking for hours, catching the right light, and my lifestyle didn't really allow for that.

I found myself wanting to take portraits. I loved the way the greats like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Annie Leibovitz were able to tell entire stories with one image. The way they shaped the light to their whim, the connection between the person behind the lens and the one in front of it.

There was just one problem. I considered myself an introvert and I didn't know many people. Certainly not ones who would agree to me taking their picture over and over and over again. And I didn't have the confidence yet to pay for a model.

Discovering Columbus Through Street Photography

This is when I found street photography. I could open my door and walk the vibrant streets of Columbus, Ohio, capturing these stories. From the bustling Short North to the quiet corners of German Village, I discovered the unique character of this city through my lens.

The bonus being that I could capture the world as a snapshot in time. That I joined a grand tradition of those who walked the same streets, the photographers of Magnum and others. I could take my camera from city to city and capture the people, capture the heart of the streets of each city or town I visited. No matter what country I was in.

This is where I honed my style, found my passion for candids. Candids capture the true essence of someone. Posed portraits capture perhaps what someone wants you to see. These elements combined together create amazing art.

Street photography allowed me to gain the confidence as an artist. I had to think on the fly, the technical concepts flowing through my brain like water, quick compositions were absolutely a must. These same skills now enhance every wedding ceremony I capture and every corporate event I photograph.

Ready to see how street photography techniques can elevate your portraits?

Let's create something authentic together.

Bringing It Full Circle

This allowed me to return full circle to portraits, to tell the stories of individuals and families. Whether I'm capturing engagement sessions, family milestones, or corporate headshots, I blend the spontaneous energy of street photography with the intentional artistry of portrait photography. To capture events where every unguarded moment tells part of a larger story.

Your Story Awaits

Are you ready to capture your story? Whether you're celebrating a milestone, building your brand, or simply want portraits that reveal your authentic self, I'd love to help tell it. As a Columbus photographer who understands both the technical precision of software engineering and the raw humanity of street photography, I bring a unique perspective to every session.

Let's connect and create something meaningful together.