My dad was a prolific picture taker. When I was born he was a manager of the photo department at a Longs Drug Store in California. Those stores don’t even exist anymore but that company played a HUGE part of my upbringing when Dad moved on from the retail side and started their training and communications department at the Longs general offices. At first his crew was small – just him and Mom. Mom wasn’t even a paid employee at first. She was just along for the ride being his assistant, artist, writer – you name it. I wasn’t that old and so I came along too. When he was out photographing store locations and needed “customers” in the shot, Mom and I were it. So my early days were spent as a model of sorts and when I wasn’t in front of the camera, I was behind it watching Dad. I loved how excited he’d get when he got the shot he wanted. It usually meant waking up before dawn and being there at the store when the light was just right or waiting until later in the day for “golden hour”. I learned a lot from Mom & Dad. Mom’s creativity was infectious. Dad’s ability with a camera inspiring. He would often discount his talent. But really, all I know about picture taking, I learned from him.