Taking my Hobby and My Career on the Road

Baghdad, Iraq

Let’s start from the beginning. I got into photography way back in 1985, capturing wildlife and nature. About four years later, I joined the United States Air Force. My primary duty was in telecommunications but I always had my camera in hand. I came off active duty in 1998 and took a job with AT&T as an Electronic Technician. We were still BellSouth at the time. I continued with the National Guard as a reservist and in 2012, after almost 23 years of service, I retired.

Serving my country through the lens of my camera was a humbling and rewarding piece of my history.

I took my GI Bill and enrolled in film school at the Art Institute of Atlanta. By the time I was 18 years in with AT&T, I was back to doing my favorite thing in the world: taking photographs and filming. This is where life got really good. I’m getting paid to enjoy my hobby every day.

Fun Fact: I am also a freelance wildlife photographer for Getty Images

Hitting the Road

Being a photographer and filmmaker has led me to meet some wonderful people, including my coworkers here at AT&T University. We’re a close-knit team that has a lot of fun along the way. When our El Segundo studio in California needed some new gear, the cost to ship lighting and control equipment from our Atlanta studio was outrageous.

Solution, “How about I drive it?” The cost to drive across the country and ensure our equipment arrived safely was more cost-effective than shipping freight, even with today’s gas prices. It didn’t make any sense, but I volunteered to make the trip. I had always wanted to drive across the country.

I packed up my bag, packed up the AT&T van, threw in my camera, and off I went. The epic journey began. This was my first time driving across the country and it was spectacular. We have the most gorgeous country, even in the desert. It was breathtaking.

Sharing the Road with My Camera

My route took me through Chattanooga, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, and Albuquerque finally ending up in Los Angeles.

Camera in hand, I was able to stop by the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, and the Petrified National Park in Arizona.

Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, Texaas

Petrified National Park, Arizona

Santa Barbara Pier, CA

I did do a photoshoot in Tustin, California for Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) for office ergonomics on how to properly sit at a desk. I did have to “work” at some point.

The whole trip, there and back, took about 9 days including the time to retrofit the studio. Taking my camera along made the trip that much more memorable.

Photography and videography are creative outlets that help me mentally. When I’m not shooting for AT&T, I’m out in the mountains, deserts, forests, and shorelines looking for creatures and landscapes to take my breath away. It keeps me centered and at peace.

AT&T has enabled me to work with some of the best professionals in the world. I’m always learning and improving, and AT&T provides the resources and time for me to continue to grow. I really have the best job ever!