The Beginnings

Even though I was raised in a middle class family in which my father ran a construction business and my mother was a stay-at-home housewife, I was fortunate to inherit an artistic sense from my dad and a talent for the piano from my mom.  My dad gave me painting lessons on Saturdays and my mom made sure I got music lessons starting at the age of five.

Like so many others, I have always been interested in photography.  And while my life's journey took me into many diverse and interesting endeavors, photography was always there as a means of expression and fulfillment. I was the yearbook photographer in college, worked in a photography studio and, from the birth of my daughter in 1994 was never very far from a camera.

I was always most interested in nature photography.  I'm sure that comes from my passion for wilderness.  People who saw my work were always impressed and often commented that I had 'a good eye.'  But I had no formal training and looking back my photographs had a fresh spontaneity but also had some pretty rough edges.  So I thought that if I really wanted to become a good photographer I should study with some of the masters.

Current Path

I began working with Alain Briot in 2006 and started on the journey to discover my artistic voice.  Other photographers who  have had a huge influence on me are Uwe Steinmueller, Jack Graham, Joseph Holmes, Charles Cramer, Mac Holbert and my brother Roger Nordstrom.

I have intense feelings about nature and our beautiful Mother Earth that are reflected in my photographs.  Often in the field I overflow with excitement and I try to share those same feelings through my works.  It is a privilege to be by the side of a lake or some other beautiful place at dawn and experience the gentle coming of the day.  Actually, I don't need much of an excuse to grab my camera and head out for the wilderness.  It is always a cleansing experience and I return refreshed, renewed, often exhausted, and from time to time some really nice photographs.

I've had several 'careers' in education along the way, teaching the full gambit from pre-school to adult, and handicapped to gifted.  So branching into photographic workshops was a very natural path for me.  I take great pleasure in sharing the things I've learned with others and helping them along the path of discovering their artistic voice.  My philosophy on workshops is simple.  They are successful when the attendees return home with a few great photographs and feeling that they have expanded what I like to call their 'Creative Vocabulary;' that is, their ability to express themselves through their photography.

Simply put, photography is my motivation, my passion and my future.  And I welcome any who would like to join me on this grand and exhilarating quest.