Hometown/where you live now: I was raised in Traverse City and moved to Manistee in 1988. My wife and I lived in town, but once we retired we moved out into the Manistee National Forest by the Little Manistee River.

How long have you been a photographer? I started taking pictures when I moved up to Marquette in the U.P. to go to college. The outdoors and wildlife are beautiful there.

How did you become interested in photography? Part of my college courses I was required to take were photography classes and I learned how to use the skills in taking pictures outdoors.

What are your favorite subjects to photograph? Anything that is outdoors — mostly wildlife, flowers, and sunsets. Also anything of interest while we are traveling, which could be scenery, people, anything that pertains to that area and fun activities that we do.

Why do you enjoy photography? I just enjoy taking pictures. As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words." In our sunroom we have a lot of pictures of birds that are local to our area with their names under them — that way, we can share them with people when they come to visit. When I look at them, it is a reminder of all the beauty that God provides and wants us to enjoy.

What other hobbies do you enjoy? Anything that is outdoors. In the summer we enjoy, camping, fishing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, woodworking and reading. In the winter we enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowmobiling, traveling, the Vogue Theater and of course, photography.

If you would like to be a part of our Featured Photographer series, contact staff writer Kyle Kotecki at kkotecki@pioneergroup.com or (231) 398-3110.