I’ve been an emergency responder in one form or another for more than half of my life.  It wasn’t until becoming a member of the Greeneville Emergency and Rescue Squad that I got back into photography.  Now I’m “that guy” with the camera, always two steps behind, stopping to get “the shot”.

Documenting the responders is the driving force for the photos.  It does not matter if they are volunteer or paid or if they are fire, rescue, medical or law enforcement; few of them are recognized for the work they perform.  It is my goal to document what they do and bring a bit of recognition for their work.

More than just the conveyance to the scene; the car, truck, and aircraft are critical tools in emergency response.  Receiving more care than the personal vehicles, the response vehicle is viewed more as a member of the team than transport.

Documenting a fire is a balancing act between being respectful and documenting the event.  Personal property is being destroyed; sometimes for a purpose, but more times as an unfortunate event.  Both are emotional.

My goal is to not only document the event, but to show the work performed by emergency responders.  I want the photos to document what goes on behind the bravery.  The training and practice, the teamwork and the aftermath of their efforts which are both physical and emotional.   



"Suicide does not end the chances of life getting worse. Suicide eliminates the possibility of it ever getting better."

At the start of this project I was reaching out to departments asking if they would be willing to participate.  As is normally the case with first responders, I started getting messages asking how they could participate or if I could come take their picture.  It’s an honor to help with a cause such as this.

I’m not sure which I like more, finding art within the vehicle or finding ways to photograph them without showing the cluttered environment in the background.  Personal favorites are military aircraft, helicopters, and steel, lots of steel.

Beijing, Las Vegas, Nashville, London, San Antonio, Matamoros, Hong Kong, New York, and every small town in between. 

New, old, restored or abandoned, it’s all about angles, colors and textures that make you feel the history of the building. This is the subject I will forever be trying to get caught back up with for not having a camera with me at the time and the cell phone just didn’t cut it. 

I wont make it back to all of those but, I will get all the new ones going forward.