... and now a little about the subject behind the camera, for those that are interested, I share with you the following ... Born and raised in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, just a little after midnight, 03 May 1965. Monday's have never been the same since. My interest in photography started out as a hobby and was further developed while completing a two year mandatory military service in the South African Defense Force, immediately after finishing school. Starting out in the desert dunes of Walvis Bay, South West Africa for a nine week basic training and orientation program, after which, I was selected to attend an Elite Infantry School, in Oudtshoorn South Africa, for Officers and NCO's of the South African defense force, where I spent 1984, which included a 3 month deployment to South West Africa's Ovamboland. Once graduating from Infantry School, I was transferred back to South West Africa, (now known as Namibia), where I spent another year ( 1985 ), with the South West African special forces, training troops and participating in routine deployments on the South West African and Angolan border where SWAPO guerrillas tried to infiltrate South West Africa through Angola. Spending whatever free time I had taking photos, my photography skills soon came to light, and as the only person with some camera equipment, I was commissioned to take ID style photos of the entire battalion. This then led to more and more private requests from fellow soldiers & troops paying ( the cost of film and development ) me to photograph them in their battle gear, to send home to family and loved ones. Upon leaving the military and returning home to Port Elizabeth, my career followed a different path, first working within the transport industry, until I was able to purchase a small family owned package delivery business, which was originally started in 1976. After about 10 years of rapid growth, and many sleepless nights, I felt it was time to move on. I think they call it " Burn out " I decided to sell my business and took a few years off. Today, this business continues to operate successfully and has grown to become one of South Africa's leading " overnight " transport business, servicing most of South Africa daily. During this time, I continued to enjoy my love of photography and from time to time, photographed the odd Wedding for family and friends, and at times friends of friends! On our many travels within South Africa, Europe, the Far East and America, I enjoyed taking wildlife, landscape and street scene photographs. Other interests include Marathon running, including a number of Ultra marathons and cycling, completing more than 30 marathons between 1986 and 2007, amongst others, one of South Africa's most amazing ultra marathons, with 30000+ runners " The Comrades Marathon " between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, a 90km up hill run ( 56 miles ), in 10h15 minutes, The Settler's Ultra Marathon ( 38 miles ) between Port Alfred and Grahamstown, and five, Two Ocean Marathons ( 35 miles ) in Cape Town, South Africa. More recently, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. The yearn to travel and see more of the world, helped my wife and I decide to leave South Africa, and immigrate to the United States of America at the end of 1999. We applied for a visa and after a long 7 month wait, we received our approval notice to move to the United States. ( Finally, in March 2008 receiving our Green Cards / Permanent Residency ) After arriving in the United States at the beginning of 2000, I decided to purchase a small business and settle in North Carolina. One of the businesses that most interested us, was a well established Wedding and Portrait Studio, Cutting Edge Photo, a going concern for more than 12 years, with a local following. Included was a One Hour Photo lab and dark room, which allowed me the opportunity to develop a further skill in the art of printing, both color and black & white. My inspiration comes from being able, and fortunate, to travel around our wonderful world, creating images, capturing those special, and often emotional moments, one moment at a time. I learn from those that are better, and will always assist those who ask my advise. I take nothing for granted and am grateful all that I have ! " Taking pictures and leaving only foot prints "