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Throughout our careers there are people that influence what we do as artists and photographers. This area of my website is devoted to those that have influenced mine.

In addition, I'll encounter a web site, vendor or organization that is exceptional and I'll share them with you here. When it comes to service, I find many vendors sadly lacking and if you see one listed here, you can be assured that I have received exceptional service from them. Just click on their name to visit.

The Center for Fine Art Photography

Located in Ft. Collins, Colorado, The Center for Fine Art Photography is one of the best opportunities anywhere for you to have your work viewed by an international audience through their competitions and/or as a member, on their website.

I've been a member for quite a while now and just love these guys. Even though I live in West Virginia, I've had the opportunity to visit a few times. I was honored by being juried into my first ever international show, participating in their Bridge Gallery at the Denver International Airport exhibition, AND having a solo exhibition there in March of 2007 (If you didn't see it in person, it's now online under "exhibitions"). I even won my first international award in their Abstract exhibition by winning the Director's Choice Award....Larry Padgett, the Center's Director, obviously, has excellent taste.... So stop by and say hi to my friends at The Center for Fine Art Photography and while you're there, become a member to receive all the benefits this world class organization can give you. These people really do it right!

Photographers/Artists
Jim Clark
I first attended a Jim Clark workshop in 2002 and photography, for me, changed forever. Jim's passion for nature and nature photography was very evident as well as infectious. After that first workshop, I made the decision that Jim was going to be my mentor, a task he willingly accepted. There were many times that he wanted to wring my neck trying to teach me the obvious, but we both persevered and Jim instilled in me a love of nature that will forever be a part of my life as well as taught me to see nature in ways that I never thought possible. Jim also taught me that the image isn't as important as what comes from the heart.

I'm happy to say that Jim finally "fired" me as his "mentee" and we remain best of friends today and love shooting together in our beloved West Virginia. In fact, Jim and I are doing workshops together now...how cool is that? If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of Jim's workshops or talks, don't pass it up!

Les Miller
I first met Les when I joined the Charleston Camera Club, in Charleston, WV. His passion for photography and learning was evident from the day I met him. I was just starting out and I remember, when I first saw his creations, that if I could ever be that good, I would be happy. Les has since moved to Virginia, but we still get together, along with Jim Clark, and roam the hills and valleys of West Virginia looking for that perfect image.

One of the beautiful things about photography is the friendships you form though a common passion. Les and Jim Clark's friendships are two that I will treasure forever.

Businesses
Artist Career Training (A.C.T.) “Business Sense for the ArtWorld”
Artist Career Training operates as a "virtual university", offering a full curriculum of programs developed over ten years, teaching artists how to make a better living making art with and without gallery representation, in any economy. Virtual learning is exchanged among artists and faculty across time and space by a combination of surface mail, telephone class, recordings and internet.

Sign up for the free monthly newsletter, ArtMatters! and the tuition free, introductory "10 Tips" TeleClass at http://www.artistcareertraining.com Let A.C.T. help you build a productive, sustainable and satisfying professional art career

I began my journey with A.C.T. in 2003 and have never regretted the decision. If you are serious about your art career, you will find the answers at Artist Career Training. You owe it to yourself and your career. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone if you have any questions.

The Great American Photography Workshops
In their words: "The Great American Photography Workshops (GAPW) combines classroom lectures and critiques with hands-on in-the-field instruction designed to improve and enhance skills in photographic techniques and composition. Our locations are chosen to arouse both the soul and one’s creativity. They include some of our National treasures – our National Parks and Monuments – as well as lesser known but equally scenic and inspiring venues."

I've had the honor to assist Jim Clark in several of the GAPW West Virginia workshops, so my review might be a wee bit slanted, but these people provide excellent workshops and the workshop leaders are the best in the field of photography. Several of our West Virginia participants have come back for additional workshops with Jim and me. If you want to take your photography to the next level AND learn a little bit about my creative nature photography techniques, pay them a visit.

Robin Sagara & Associates
How many times have you said, "If only I had more time?" I don't know about you, but I say that almost everyday. As a professional artist, I also have to be a marketing specialist, web designer and webmaster, graphic designer, database manager, tax specialist, accountant, computer expert, workshop coordinator and the list goes on and on.

So, what's one to do? Well, you could hire a full time staff to take care of all the administrative duties, but what small business person can afford to hire all those specialists? Actually, you don't have to. You can hire Robin Sagara to take care of the tasks that you don't want to do and don't have time to do.

Robin is great to work with. She understands small business and the value of time. I've known Robin for quite a while and I can attest to the fact that she is a joy to work with. I recently had Robin do an assessment of my website. I knew that I had a lot of work to do in regards to updating my website. I also knew that I didn't have time to look at it with a critical eye to find every little thing that needed work. Robin jumped right in and before I knew it, she delivered a clear, concise, seven page report chock full of suggestions that I'm busy working on.

In Robin's words, "We create time and space for you to focus on your vision. Then we'll help you get there." Believe me, Robin delivers!

Paintwebs (Website Design)
After a grueling six months of self-teaching and working, my website was finally ready and "open for business." You can only imagine the thrill when my first order arrived. Marian Jackson was my very first customer. This was a special moment for me because, not only was she my very first customer, but also because she was, and is, a very talented artist in her own right. Marian was fascinated by website design and e-commerce so I answered all her questions about what I did....well, as best I could because, half the time, I had NO idea what I was doing. Before I knew it, Marian had mastered the topic and started her own web design company, Paintwebs.

I can't begin to tell you how complicated designing and maintaining an e-commerce website is, but Marian excels at it with the eye of an artist. So many times I've had to send out distress signals after I made a boo-boo and trashed my website. Marian swooped in and saved me. I don't think that Marian sleeps much because it's rare that I send out a call for help and she isn't right there almost immediately...and folks, I'm talking wee hours of the morning here.

I've done most of my website design, but, I can assure you that Marian and I will be working together in 2008 to make my website the best it can be. Call or visit her website today. I promise you that you can't go wrong...besides, she has the most delightful English accent.

Photographic Production Services
Located in South Charleston, West Virginia, Photographic Production Services is the only place to go for your digital imaging needs as far as I'm concerned. They offer a full menu of photographic services. Being strictly digital, I've used them many times for slides from my digital files as well as large prints that my little Epson 2200 can't handle. Heck, I just enjoy going in and picking their brains. Pat, Clayton, Heather, Steve, Megan, Tina and Steve are always happy to share information and they bend over backwards to make sure that we photographers look the best we can. Great service and they love what they do. THAT'S the kind of people I, as a photographer, want to work with. Give them a visit to see all that they do and don't let not being in West Virginia stop you. The are fully equipped with FTP transfer, so they are only as far away as your keyboard. Tell them Bruce said Hi!

The Charleston Camera Club
If you live in the Charleston, WV area and looking for a place to share your talents or just a gathering of fellow photographers, then this the place for you. The club, made up of beginners to professionals, is open to all photo enthusiasts including digital. Come join the fun.