So what’s my story?
I have a creative spirit, bad habit of being a perfectionist and an entrepreneurs’ heart.
ENGINEERING DEGREE
I was guided initially by my interest in the art of architectural design. After high school I studied Architectural Engineering. This is when I first picked up a camera. I would photograph designs that I liked to keep as a visual reminder. I was paying for my own schooling and I could not afford to continue. So I changed my degree to civil engineering at a local university. Learning the design of roads and bridges, thus fulfilling my creative needs. While in school I started helping a friend carrying camera equipment at weddings. I soon found that I loved the idea of creating beautiful images and started photographing weddings myself.
After finishing school, I fell in love with my soulmate, Cheryl. She was the driving force to start a photography business, as she says, she saw a talent and exploited it. I saw Civil Engineering as not the artistic creative challenge that I needed, so our entrepreneurship began.
I BECAME AN ENTREPRENEUR
It didn’t happen overnight. There was a lot of hard work put in and years of continuing education. We started in the film days and became one of the leaders into the digital era.
I have photographed people of all ages, shapes, and sizes for over 30 years. My training in classic portrait studies, to educating photographers throughout the country on photography and the business side of photography has made a positive effect on my craft. I earned, the coveted Master of Photography Degree and Photographic Craftsman Degrees from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
I built my business by doing it all – the marketing, the design, the photography.
I MARRIED PHOTOGRAPHY WITH BUSINESS SERVICES
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a strong attention to detail and I am a (recovering) perfectionist.
I think Cheryl would say I got into photography as a way to control and create the perfection. I would have all the control in making sure every little detail was perfect. I am passionate about helping others make money doing what they love. I help Entrepreneurs in perfecting their visual marketing.
I launched Ridgeway Business Service as a way to meet a growing demand of entrepreneurs, who need, not just a great headshot, but to make a visual statement about their brand. Helping businesses develop their visual marketing and with help in designing of Business cards to Trade show Booths and more.
In recent years, this part of my business has gained a tremendous amount of popularity from individuals and business seeking something other than the typical outdated looking portrait.
Proudly serving Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois, and the greater St. Louis, Mo. area from Maryville, IL.