Within an ever-evolving creative quest, I pour consistent energy and effort into every artistic endeavor I undertake. As I explore through the lens of my camera, each genre I delve into becomes a conduit for me to share my excitement and inspiration. Every edition I create is born from tireless effort, a meticulous final examination, and anchored with an unwavering commitment towards delivering the optimum. I am my own toughest critic, never settling for anything less than the best of my ability. I don’t compete with anyone but myself, and confidently commit that the term, “that’s good enough”, will never leave my lips. I strive for my results to transcend even my own expectations, thus my art becoming a living testament of my dedication.

Doug is an experienced and educated photographer who began his professional career in early 1988 within the commercial sector before seamlessly merging his passion for fine art photography into his daily routine in late 2004. This experience spans more than thirty-seven years of working with clients across advertising, fashion, and editorial genres, establishing a strong foundation in commercial photography. In parallel, the last twenty-one of those years have also been devoted to developing a distinct voice as a fine art photographer. At times, it took the shape of two full-time callings; but also offered twice the fun. Looking to the future, Doug has no plans of retiring, for being creative is not just his profession, it’s his way of life. He is currently rebranding, evolving his creative output by blending select genres from his previous commercial experience with a renewed creative vision, seeking to foster meaningful, mutually beneficial collaborations moving forward.

His fine art emerges from a deep passion for photography, and he will be the first to let you know that expressing himself using a pencil, or paintbrush, which he greatly admires those who truly have this gift, is not his best strength. Though irrelevant because he loves everything about photography and being a photographer, whereas his camera has been an extra appendage on his body throughout most of his life. He reflects on his beginnings in photography during the mid-1970s, a time when the ‘old school’ process of shooting on film, hand-developing negatives, and printing in the darkroom was essential to his growth as an artist. This was a career choice that demanded patience, precision, and discipline. If a shooter got distracted, there were the hard-earned lessons from a medium that allowed no room for error. Learning to cross your T’s, and dot your I’s, was essential. Consistency was important. Mistakes often meant costly, and sometimes embarrassing, reshoots. This stands in stark contrast to today’s digital convenience, where the right software can instantly “save the day.” In Doug’s view, this ease has blurred the line between experience and appearance, thus enabling anyone with a camera to quickly adopt the title of ‘photographer,’ often looking more skilled than they truly are. And now, with the rise of AI, the long-term impact on the industry, and the credibility of what it means to be a true photographer, remains to be seen.

In order to remain relevant within technological advances, Doug began his transition to digital photography during its early development in the late 1990s. Once he decided to incorporate it into his business, he adapted quickly, though he had no concept at the time of how transformative this leap would be. He takes pride in his hands-on background, but he also embraces the enhancements that digital technology brings to his imagery. It complements his ability to present his best work and has become integral to his composite creations. He believes that as a professional photographer, if you have “it,” you simply do, so why not use every tool available to deliver the best possible result?

His interests encompass a wide range of subject matter, and he refuses to let any single genre define his artistic statement. He believes what sets him apart from the massive influx of photographic artists today, who often focus on just one or two subjects, is his desire to explore a wider range of themes. His collection is varied, expansive, and boundless, accumulated from many years of putting a camera up to his eye, reflecting his openness to capturing any subject that piques his interest. At the heart of his creativity is a pursuit of finding and capturing beauty in its many forms, as he explores a wide range of ideas and transforms them into compelling, meaningful realities. He finds true joy in bringing his visions to life, but won’t release an edition unless he is willing to put it on his own wall first. The greatest reward, however, is knowing his work is appreciated and respected by his peers, and an audience of friends, fans, and collectors.

As noted above, Doug was initially known for his commercial photography before presenting himself as a photographic fine artist within his debut exhibit in 2004. Yet his most cherished and widely collected image to date, “My Swan,” was captured on his very first roll of film as a college photography student in 1978.

Maybe in his case it could be said; once an artist, always an artist.