My Story

A Box of Crayons, Reams of Paper, and a Boy with Imagination

Long before I picked up a camera, I was creating little worlds with a box of crayons and stacks of paper.

My mom encouraged my creativity by bringing home mimeograph paper, which I quickly used up!

That love of art eventually led me to lessons at the Cleveland Museum of Art and later to The Cooper School of Art in downtown Cleveland. It was there that I discovered photography and developed (pun intended — lol!) a fascination with the process of turning moments into lasting images.

A New Bike and a Paper Route

I got my first taste of business in sixth grade when I started a paper route. After saving my earnings, I bought a brand-new bike — a pretty exciting accomplishment for a kid!

Those early mornings delivering papers and collecting quarters taught me lessons about responsibility, dedication, and taking pride in serving others — values that have stayed with me throughout my career.

Dad’s Love of the Sea Became Bill’s Too

Growing up, many of my favorite memories happened around the water. From backyard pools to family vacations at lakeside cottages, we were always swimming, fishing, or finding an excuse to get wet. When my dad bought us a motorboat, summers became filled with new adventures on Ohio’s inland lakes.

Looking back, those moments taught me something I still believe today: the memories we create with the people we love are the ones worth holding onto.

Coffee, doughnuts and weddings–OH MY!

Right after college, jobs were scarce. I took a job driving a catering truck with a route in the bustling Cleveland Flats. As the seasons came and went, I honed my photography skills. 

Then one day, I answered an ad from a local photography studio that was willing to train people in wedding photography. With the fragrance of fresh flowers, the sound of music filling the room, the anticipation before the ceremony, and most of all, the incredible emotions of two people in love, I soon realized that capturing weddings was the one thing I wanted to do.

And I’ve been doing it ever since!

What I Bring to Couples Today

After so many years of experience, I’ve learned that the best wedding photography often comes from knowing when to step forward and when to simply let the moment happen. During a ceremony, for example, I’m not just focused on the couple exchanging vows. I’m constantly scanning the room for the reactions, expressions, and meaningful little moments that my clients will want to remember forever.

That’s what my couples value most — my ability to blend into the background, capture the emotions unfolding around them, and allow them to fully enjoy their wedding day.