After 20 years in the business I'm excited to be a mentor and a student of this industry.  I have 2 degrees with PPA, I'm PPA Certified and a Photographic Craftsman.   The most important aspect of my life is without a doubt my family.  When Jack was born I saw my future as national speaker and didn't like what in store for me.  I never wanted to be that dad that couldn't spend a lot of time with his family because he is always on the road.  If it's part of your job then you and your family are used to it.  Me always being gone all the time would be a conscious decision I was NOT prepared to make.  
             I put fame aside for a way better cause in life...Elizabeth, Julia, Ellie and Jack. I have friends all around the country with some pretty big jobs to be proud of and I get to call them friends.  My buddy Joe Glyda worked for Kraft foods for a ton of years.  Joe photographed and designed the packaging for products like their Mac and Cheese.  Every time you bought a box at the store, Joe was why it looked so delicious. His reasons for every shot still blows me away, yet I always remember those reasons and apply the knowledge to my photography.  His attention to details is the pure definition of WHAT a professional photographer is meant to be.  When I received my Crafstman degree, Tony Corbel was my sponsor.  Tony is known as the lighting master!  His portfolio of jobs would melt you in your seat.  I was so honored to not only have him as my sponsor but along the way he has become my friend.  
             My client list over the years has become very impressive yet I'm still not ready to teach again on the road just yet. Jack is now 5 starting Kindergarten this year.  Ellie is 10 starting 5th grad and Julia is starting 8th grade at Mount Carmel.  These years do go by faster than you wish, so this is my way of enjoying every second with them. 

I do plan on offering smaller more specialized teaching sessions that will include the high end part of our business. I am very proud to provide all of the income to support my family from GK Photography. To me being successful is not how much money you make or the cars in your driveway!  If what you do for a living is something you cannot wait to do every morning you wake up and it provides the income you need to support your family...then you are Successful in my eyes.