Jim’s interest in photography began at a very young age,but became a passion after he saw his first Polaroid image develop before his eyes. He was so excited to see his ideas come to life instantly. He began photographing things that interested him and then wanting to buy more equipment, began working weekends photographing weddings for a local studio and then as a freelance photographer for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and Times Union newspapers to help pay for college. He graduated from RIT with a degree in Photographic Illustration in 1968. While there, he was amazingly fortunate to have classes with Professor Charlie Arnold. Charlie had a phenomenal influence on Jim’s work. He taught him how to see and appreciate light and how it dances and enhances everything it touches. Charlie’s superb visual sense, caring and awesome ability to teach will never be lost or forgotten. They became lifelong friends and he was Jim’s constant mentor. Following graduation, Jim spent four summers with Minor White of MIT. He had always appreciated and been influenced by Minor’s work and strived to learn as much as he could from him. Minor taught Jim to dig deeper into his feelings and to photograph in a state he called “heighten awareness.” Jim is most known for his abstract color photographs which take you on a trip to another dimension in time and space. He has a passion for distilling the essence of things. You don’t know where you are or how big what you are seeing is. You just get to enjoy the exciting journey traveling to somewhere you have never been before. Over the years his photography has taken him to unforgettable places around the world. He has photographed expeditions from cross country skiing on glaciers in Alaska, to running rivers in a rubber raft and kayaking in the ocean. For the last several years he has been going back to his roots of street photography, focusing on Cuba, Peru and Brazil. Jim has been given the privilege of simply photographing the daily lives of the people he meets. He is humbled and welcomed by people who have so little in material possessions but whose hearts are filled with love. Jim finds it an honor to meet the warm and gracious families and to be invited into their homes and lives. His goal is to capture images that touch the heart, photographing the mysteries and magic appearing before him. Enjoying strange encounters in fascinating places, sharing food, laughter and music with simple yet friendly people. Many of the intimate images express both the happiness and deep sadness from their life’s encounters and the many challenges and surprises they have faced. Jim’s work has been published in numerous national and international magazines as well as photographic publications including Aperture. Most of his work is now exhibited and sold thru Fine Art Galleries to grace the walls of homes and offices.