Bio

April Self-Portrait Bio Name

My interest in photography started when I was working at Kinko's of St. Petersburg, Florida for almost six years. Specializing on the color copiers gave me the chance to work with many photographers. One aspiring fashion photographer in particular came frequently and we became close. When it came time for her to put together a portfolio, she asked me to be one of her “guinea pig” models. I enjoyed working with her and loved her unique style. I watched her photography career take off.

At the time I was working at Kinko’s, I was going to college. Still undecided on a major, I decided to start taking some photography classes. I fell in love with it and spent much time doing B/W at this time.

In July of 2000, I got a one way ticket from Florida to Alaska. I went up there because of a man in the Coast Guard, but I stayed because it was amazing. I was inspired by the beauty of Alaska from the moment I stepped out of the airport.

In Homer, I got into color photography more. The sunsets and changing leaves were so full of color that B/W didn't’t do it justice. At this time in my life I spent much time doing wildlife, nature, and close-up photography. Although, I never forgot my start in B/W, I enjoyed focusing on things that most people took for granted and would normally pass over.

I spent a little over two years surviving in Homer, Alaska. In August 2002, I packed up what I could fit in my car and with two friends took a road trip I’ve wanted to take for some time. We drove from Alaska to New York and then down to Florida - camping and making stops along the way. Then, finally I drove back up to Akron, Ohio where I was originally born in 1976.

I recently earned my BFA in Photography at the University of Akron with a minor in Professional Photography and another in Computer Graphics. I'm not sure where the road will lead me next, but wherever I end up my camera will be with me.

• Mocha Maiden Art Gallery and Coffee Shop, Akron, OH • Ten 26X33.5 silver gelatin prints matted and framed • Dec. 2006-Jan, 2007

• ECC Cultural Center, Kent, OH • Five framed and matted 11X14’s. July 16-Aug. 16, 2004

•Wild Goats Café’, Kent, OH • Ten framed and matted prints. July 10- Aug. 10, 2004

• Art and More Art Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, FL • ten matted and framed 11x14 prints. May 2004

•Cafe’ Arabica, Akron, OH • Three prints matted and framed. Mid June, 2003- June, 2004

•Cafe’ Momus, Akron, OH • Forty prints in four eight foot long handmade display frames. All in display are matted with a couple framed separately. July 23, 2003.- Jan.15, 2004

• Clip Art Salon and Gallery, Akron OH • Six prints matted and framed. July 6, 2003- Nov. 2003

•Cafe’ Bohme, Akron, OH • Three prints matted and framed. Entire month of June, 2003

•Jimmy’s Cafe’, Cuyahoga Falls, OH • Forty prints. Jan. 25, 2003- end of Feb. 2003