Why I Picked Up a Camera

When people ask how Above It All Digital began, they’re often surprised by the answer.

The truth is, I never planned on becoming a portrait photographer.

When I first started, my vision was completely different. I was fascinated by drones and the perspective they offered. Seeing the world from above showed me that ordinary places could become extraordinary when viewed from a different angle.

That was the beginning of Above It All Digital.

My original plan was to build a business around drone photography and real estate imagery. I thought that was where the business would grow. But there was another reason behind it, too.

I wanted to build something that could become an opportunity for my family — something my son could possibly be part of after he graduated from high school. It wasn’t just about starting a business. It was about creating something meaningful.

Then one evening, my wife suggested we visit a sunflower field.

Almost as an afterthought, I grabbed my camera before we left.

I didn’t have a plan. I wasn’t thinking about portraits. I simply thought it might be fun to take a few pictures while we were there.

That simple decision changed everything.

As the sun settled over the field, I photographed my daughter surrounded by sunflowers. Later that night, I sat down to edit the images, and as they came to life on my screen, something changed.

I wasn’t just looking at photographs.

I was seeing my daughter in a new way.

I saw joy.

I saw confidence.

I saw beauty that deserved to be remembered.

That was the moment I realized photography could be so much more than capturing what was in front of the camera. It could help people see the beauty that was already there.

Looking back, I can see that God was leading me in a direction I never expected.

The drone business wasn’t a mistake. It was the first step.

And every member of my family has played a part in this journey.

My wife has supported me from the beginning. She encouraged me, believed in the dream, and was the reason we ended up in that sunflower field in the first place.

My son inspired me to build something that could create opportunities for our family.

My other son reminded me why photographs matter. Every time I photographed his football games, he was excited to see the pictures afterward. Watching that excitement reminded me that photos aren’t just images — they’re memories people get to relive.

And my daughter, without ever realizing it, became the inspiration that showed me what Above It All Digital was truly meant to become.

Today, I have the privilege of photographing seniors, families, couples, weddings, and businesses throughout Southeast Ohio.

Every session reminds me why I started.

Photography is about more than beautiful images.

It’s about people.

It’s about preserving moments that become part of a family’s story.

It’s about helping someone feel comfortable, confident, and seen.

And if you choose to trust me with your story, I’ll treat it with the same care I would my own family’s memories.

Because that’s what this has always been about.

Not just photography.

People.

I’d be honored for the opportunity to tell your story.