Craig D: Roanoke tutor

Certified Tutor

When I was 7, I discovered my dad's Nikon camera in his desk and shot a whole roll of film on nothing at all. For my punishment, he taught me how to use it. It turned out to be a life sentence.

Within a year, I had amassed an impressive collection of photographs of Orlando theme parks from a unique vantage point three feet above the ground. In high school, I tirelessly studied the nuances of developing black and white film. Later, as a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, I enrolled, and excelled, in every photography course I could get my hands on. I turned heads and won awards.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology (the Photography major was not available at that time, but I minored in it and completed nearly twice as many credits as was needed), I joined the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and embraced one of the organization's core values of sharing information and fostering academic growth for the next generation of photographers. I opened a small studio and produced commercial work for local businesses and advertising agencies. I also conducted workshops for photography students who wanted to learn the intricacies of combining natural and artificial light. Over the years, I presented seminars on subjects as diverse as specialized lighting, multiple exposure, and product photography, to name a few.

My Certified Professional Photographer status, issued by Professional Photographers of America, is current. I am also a member of ASMP and the Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association, and keep my knowledge base current with constantly-evolving techniques and trends.

Turning the images in my head into photographs has been my life's passion, and the only thing I enjoy as much is helping others to do the same. I hold decades of experience and knowledge, and recognize that it needs to be shared. I believe in maintaining a relaxed learning environment, and adapt my approach to suit the student's cognitive styles and needs.