This Is How It All Started...

I got my earliest peek into the world of photography at about the age of twelve when I accidentally came across an old copy of the world renowned National Geographic Magazine. The photographs immediately captivated me.

The following year a family member gave me a camera as a Christmas gift. After processing my first roll of film, I developed an enduring love for this unique art form.

In addition to accomplishments in other professional areas, I also studied Photography at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale (A School of Professional Studies), and with the New York Institute of Photography. My main interest, however, has always been on Nature Photography while focusing on Flowers as a subject area of personal interest.

When I lived in Washington DC some years ago, one of my preferred hangouts was the National Botanical Gardens. It is the oldest Public Garden in this historic Capital City, and is home to thousands of species of plants including medicinal plants, orchids, cacti and succulents, bromeliads, cycads, ferns, and myriads of other exotic species.

I have always been fascinated with the quiet expression and majestic nature of flowers and how, by their simple existence, they arouse such profound feelings and thoughts amongst people. In his Journal ~ Life Thoughts ~ for example, Henry Ward Beecher puts it this way: "Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, but (unfortunately) did not put a Soul into." This is why whenever I am making a Portrait of A Flower I am always searching for its Soul.

For that reason, I make a special effort to give each image I photograph a personality of sorts. I try to accomplish this by focusing not so much on its natural beauty, but on its appearance which (oftentimes) is much more telling as a Portrait than just another beautiful flower.

I enjoy Flower Photography and I still take time to stop and smell one every so often. After all, to analyze the charms of flowers is like dissecting music. It is one of those things that are far better just to enjoy than to attempt to fully understand.

Originally, from the Islands of the Bahamas, I am an alumnus of the Catholic University of America (Washington DC.,) and of the University of Miami (Coral Gables, Florida.) I currently reside in South Florida with my wife Jennifer Maud who, thanks to her avid interest and fascination with her beloved Orchids, has truly inspired me to focus more intimately on Flower Photography.

During my short life span, I have had two great careers. I was a Journalist (with training in both the Print & Electronic media) and a Diplomat representing my native Bahamas overseas for almost two decades until my retirement as Consul General. As already indicated, Photography was always a part of my life’s experience. I have gone full circle now but I am back to basics and have launched a third (and final) career as a Photographer. Frankly speaking, there isn't very much else I really want to do.

In the words of the great George Burns (Academy Award winning Jewish/American comedian, actor and writer) "...If you can make a living doing the one thing you truly enjoy, you'll be among the happiest people in the world..."

With a camera in my hand and a subject to photogoraph, I am certainly in good company with the likes of Icons like Burns who passed away March 9, 1996 at the age of 100, but who had a most enviable life doing exactly what he truly enjoyed...... Entertaining And Making People Laugh

"...Enjoy a well deserved rest George,
and thanks for the inspiration..."