I was lucky to grow up on a dirt road off of a back road that was just off of another back road in western Pennsylvania. That location and experience gave me the opportunity to roam and explore all of the wonders it had to offer. I learned to appreciate the small details, the subtle smells, and the slightest sounds. It was great. At an early age I realized that art was something that I really appreciated and wanted to pursue as a career.

The day that I graduated high school I left for a road trip to see the Grateful Dead. I knew then that traveling and live music were elements that were going to be consistent throughout my life as well. I went to Indiana University of Pennsylvania and studied drawing and painting for the first two years. While there I discovered photography and a love for teaching. I really appreciated helping people who needed it in my art classes. That led me to change my major to Art Education.

All throughout college I worked, studied, and traveled. I worked to help put myself through school and pay for my adventures. I studied to make myself better, wiser, and more informed. And, I traveled to fill in all the gaps that work and books couldn’t. I documented all of my travels from dozens of cross country trips that included a drive to Alaska on the ALCAN in a VW bus to several trips throughout Europe.

My professional teaching career started on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona. I lived there for four years where I taught drawing, painting, and design. I made friends, attended ceremonies, and got to experience the reservation in a way that most non-natives are not afforded. It was amazing.

I now live in western Pennsylvania again where I work as an art and photography teacher as well as an independent photographer. I photograph my travels, experiences, live music, events, and weddings. My photography work has been used by Relix, Rolling Stone, Spin, Alternative Press, and Pollstar. In addition, my work has been in and on the covers of a variety of books and used by several recording artists for CD and DVD covers.

I still approach every day as a father/husband/photographer/artist/teacher as I did when running through the woods as a kid…with wonder.

Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you have any questions or there is anything that I can do for you.
Dennis