Being the President of the Professional Photographers of California is a big responsibility. That pretty much goes without saying. But with the responsibility came a lot of fun things. I am a person who does not seek out being photographed. But when I was elected president I did just that. I had four issues of Pro Photo West where I needed a headshot and I wanted to have a different one for each issue.

I wanted to use of the members of my own affiliate for the first one. I thought about Richard Giachetto and Babs but I already had ask a lot from them. So I asked Jack Della-Bitta of Jack Della-Bitta Photography in Cambria and he enthusiastically said yes. I drove two hours to Cambria and met him at his studio there. He, his wife Barbara and I then drove to a hotel for some images on the porch of the hotel. Then off to the beach for more photos. Their interpretation of me was a relaxed person (if they only knew) so we loosened the tie at the hotel and we shot and shot and shot. After a while the tie was gone and we were having fun on the beach.



Amy Fink was the second one I asked to help in this project. She is still shooting film. You remember film don’t you? After a lot of discussion we decided on a winery in my area, where I volunteer a couple of times a year to help with their events in exchange for wine. Yes I will work for wine. Amy found numerous places to photograph on these grounds and she shot a lot of really cool images. It turned out that after we were done, the owner of the winery insisted we come in and try some Italian wine they were tasting in their private kitchen. Not wanting to offend anyone, Amy and I obliged and had fun doing so. Of course this was after we finished our shoot.



In the third issue, Lisa Smith was a little harder to work with. NOT because of her, but because of me. I chose her because her work is always edgy and not main stream. We set up a date for shooting in the Gas Lamp District of San Diego after the Padres game during West Coast School. But during the game I sustained a minor injury to my hand requiring me to go to the emergency room and missing my appointment with her. (Yes there is a lot more to this story I am not telling). But two nights later, with her lens baby in hand she photographed me on the campus of the University of San Diego. Knowing that I used to be a police officer in my previous life, she thought of the CSI and mysterious side of me. We shot until very late at night (actually morning). That’s how hard I am to photograph.



In the fourth issue of Pro Photo West, Tim Meyer, whom I had worked for in numerous classes at West Coast School was asked to shoot me. I knew he would throw some hard edge lights and black and white into the mix. I drove to the Brooks Institute for this one. During the last class at West Coast School, Tim said that he sometimes will shoot just one shot to challenge himself. Well this was not the case here. I
think he just wanted to torture me. But the final product was worth the torture.



All four of these photographers used different styles, techniques and personalities to capture my personality. Each one was able to get me to relax and get great images. I used to think I looked like Tom Selleck, but after looking at all four of these professionals finished product I now know I don’t. I guess the next time I look in the mirror I should put my glasses on.