Despite original plans to attend a fine art school for photography, following graduation I decided to major in history at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. I followed that with a M.A. in history from the University of Missouri, writing my thesis on Charles Valentine Riley, Missouri State Entomologist in the 1800s. During that time, I worked in the photograph collection at the State Historical Society of Missouri.
Recently, I completed requirements for a second Masters degree at UMC, this time in Fisheries and Wildlife. As part of a research project on butterfly gardens, I taught approximately 60 individuals in Columbia, Missouri, how to identify butterflies. I began taking butterfly photos since I needed copyright-free images to provide to volunteers.
Suddenly my life-time interests in insects (prompted by my brother's insect collection) and photography came together. I had no previous experience with macro photography, but I rapidly fell in love with photographing insects. Today, it is rare for me to photograph anything other than insects.
It is my hope that individuals viewing my images are moved to look more closely at wildlife living in their yards and neighborhoods and that they are inspired to improve the habitat in their yards for insects.
You can also find out more about the insects I'm photographing by reading my blog Watching Insects.