For most of my career, photography was about documenting milestones. Blackwater was born from a different pursuit, the desire to create artwork.

Many people throughout the Ohio Valley know me as the owner of DLS Innovations, where our team photographs thousands of athletes and students each year across multiple states. That work has allowed me to be part of countless important moments and has given me a deep appreciation for the role photography plays in preserving our stories.

But Blackwater Fine Art Portraits was created for something different.

I've had a camera in my hands for as long as I can remember. While documenting milestones will always be an important part of what I do, I found myself drawn toward a more artistic side of portraiture, one focused not simply on recording a moment, but on creating something worthy of being displayed, admired, and passed down.

Today, Blackwater Fine Art Portraits specializes in custom portrait artwork for families, children, high school seniors, and the animals that hold a special place in our lives.

Every session is designed with the finished artwork in mind. Rather than creating images that disappear into a phone or computer, my goal is to create portraits that become part of your home and your family's story. Pieces that make you pause as you walk by. Pieces that spark conversations. Pieces that still matter decades from now.

Blackwater represents the next chapter of my journey as an artist a place where craftsmanship, storytelling, and fine art come together to create something meaningful. Whether I'm photographing a beloved horse, a family celebrating a season of life, or a senior standing on the edge of a new beginning, my purpose remains the same:

To create beautiful artwork that honors the people and animals who matter most.

I would be honored to create that artwork for you.