Growing up in Scottsbluff Nebraska, Philip became involved in photography when he was given a Minolta 201 in Junior High school. His love of photography grew as he worked as a photographer for his high school newspaper and yearbook. During his senior year, and while attending Nebraska Western Junior College, he was a sports stringer for the city paper and worked as a black and white printer for a local portrait studio.

In 1983 Philip received his BA in Professional Photography from Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, CA.

Upon receiving his degree, Philip worked as a production assistant at Panorama Productions, a multi-media production company in Santa Clara, CA and later as an instructor for Olan Mills Studios in Northern California. After two and a half years with Olan Mills he moved to Salem, Oregon to manage two portrait studios for RWK Enterprises.

Two years later, Philip took a position with Portland-based Sound Images, a multi-media production company whose clients include Nike, NFL Properties, and the locally based Fred Meyer. After the company downsized in the fall of 1994, he decided to devote full time to his fine art photography.

During the first few years of being on his own he sold his work at Art Fairs and Festivals across the West including the prestigious Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver (CO), Salem Art Fair and Festival (OR), Fine Arts Santa Barbara (CA), Bellevue Art Fair (WA), Mountain Artist Rendezvous (WY), and the Sedona Arts Festival (AZ).

Over the years Philip has continued his education, studying with; Morley Bear, John Sexton, Keith Carter, and Mary Virginia Swanson.

Philip’s commitment to his personal vision has helped him amass an impressive body of high-quality work. His work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the West. (see exhibition history) As the result of a six-year project photographing winter in Yellowstone National Park, he has a long-term relationship with the Yellowstone Gallery in Gardiner, Montana.

Grateful for the help and support of teachers and mentors during his formative years in photography, Philip places great value on giving back to the community. Philip has taught photographic workshops, and enjoys serving on exhibition and festival juries. He has volunteered with the Salem-Keizer Public Schools as a mentor for students using photography for their Senior Projects. He continues to share his photographic experiences and knowledge by lecturing and demonstrating to high school and college art, photography and journalism classes whenever possible.

Philip’s commitment to promoting the visual arts led him to serve seven years on the Board of Directors for Salem Art Association. During that time he spent three years on the Executive Committee and chaired the Search Committee as the organization conducted a successful nationwide search for a new Executive Director. Philip directed the Westminster Presbyterian Church Fine Arts Festival from 1991 – 1997, during which time he helped grow this annual event from a small neighborhood show with 20 artists to a regionally recognized juried event showcasing over 70 fine artists.

Until moving to Santa Fe in 2007, Philip spent nine summers working for the Oregon State Fair as Assistant Superintendent of the Photography Department including three years in the dual role as Superintendent of the Art Department.

Philip currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he continues to pursue his photographic career.

 

Professional Affiliations-

Society for Photographic Education (SPE)