If you’re here, you’re probably aware of my photography and are enjoying my images. But there is far more to me than just my pictures. So, I thought I give you a little info about who I am and my life – if only to show that there is a real human being behind these pictures. 🙂
Enjoy.
How Old Are You?
I am 51 years old.
When Did You Get Started In Photography?
I actually got a very late start in photography. While I did, occasionally, pick up a camera when I was younger, I didn’t really start to get into it until my wife and I went on a trip to Israel in 2001. That’s when I got my first digital camera — a Canon A20 — a two megapixel point and shoot camera. After that trip, I just fell in love with the idea of photography. Eventually, I moved up to an advanced point-and-shoot and then, eventually, a DSLR. By the time I got my first DSLR, I was in my (very) late 30s.
Where Do You Live?
I have lived in Brooklyn, NY since I was nine years old. While this does interfere with my ability to get certain types of landscape shots, it does afford me plenty of opportunities to capture images of this beautiful city.
Are You Married?
Lisa and I will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary this year. We met when we were 18 and 16 and within three weeks, we both knew that it wasn’t a matter of if we were going to get married, but when.
Lisa is the most amazing person I know. She’s kind, playful, and, most importantly, she puts up with me – and anyone who does that is a saint in my book. I can’t imagine spending my life without her.
Are You The Oldest Sibling?
Actually, I am.
I have one sister, who is, IMHO, an amazing person. She is an incredible go-getter and doer. If she and I came up with the same idea to do something at the same time, while I’d still be thinking about it and organizing lists and she’d already have it done and be on to the next project.
Are You Religious?
I suppose it depends on your definition of religious.
I am Jewish and Orthodox, and it is a very big part of my life. This actually impacts my photography in that when I plan a trip, I have to make sure that kosher food is available and that arrangements can be made for the Sabbath. But, by and large, we manage to make it work when we take trips. It just means having to plan a few extra things in advance.
Do You Have Any Non-Religion Based Family Traditions?
Yes.
Perhaps my favorite one started In 2005, when Lisa and I went to Niagara Falls. I had a custom bear made for her (she loves bears) at Build A Bear to commemorate the occasion. Since then, it’s become a tradition that whenever we go somewhere for vacation, I “surprise” her with a stuffed animal upon arrival. Here’s the one from our trip to Acadia National Park in 2018.
Are You a Full-Time Photographer?
No. In fact, I’ve never been a full time photographer.
I’ve had many different jobs over the years, including Emergency Medical Technician, selling advertising space, selling insurance and customer service before finally becoming a database programmer, a position I’ve had for the last two decades.
Do You Have a Favorite Sports Team?
I’m a longtime New York Yankees fan. I started following them during their World Series years of 1977-78, but I’ve stuck with them since then, through the good years and the bad ones (like the early 1990s — oh, those were painful years for us!).
Do You Drink?
Very little. Sometimes I’ll have some wine, but that’s about it.
My drinking record can best be summed up with this statement: I have never been drunk in my life.
Do You Travel A Lot?
Not as much as I’d like to.
Until 2019 (when I went to Rocky Mountain National Park), I’d never been west of the Mississippi River.
Lisa and I were scheduled to go to Iceland in September 2020, but that trip was canceled due to COVID restrictions. We’re still hoping to go. I’m also hoping to get to some of the National Parks in the US and Canada.
What's the Most Ridiculous Thing About You?
I don’t know how ridiculous you might think this is, but I love hippos. We have hippo figurines, hippo stuffed animals and all sorts of other hippo stuff around the house.
Another strange thing about me is that I am usually too hot. I sleep with a fan clipped to my bed and blowing 365 days a year.
What's The Biggest Obstacle To Your Doing Photography?
My biggest obstacle for anything in my life (but especially for my photography) is depression.
While I do suffer from it, I am lucky that it is under control with medication and, for the most part, it does not affect me too much. But when it does act up, it completely saps me of the will to do anything creative. I’ve been known to lose entire months of photography and almost anything else non-essential to depression.
Are You a Patient or Impatient Person?
I am a very patient person, some would even say to a fault.
What Other Hobbies/Passions Do You Have?
While I do enjoy photography a great deal, it’s not the only thing that I do.
I enjoy cooking, writing and reading. I also enjoy teaching and mentoring. I am the regular Torah reader at my synagouge and I’m also studying to be a sofer (scribe); someone who writes Torahs, mezzuzzahs and other Jewish religious articles. I am also learning Spanish using Duolingo.
So, What's Your Favorite of All Your Photos?
AARGH! Don’t ask me that! 🙂
Every year, I do a review where I pick the top 1o photos from the previous year and every year I have an incredibly difficult time narrowing down the list to just 10. There’s no way I can pick just one photo from all of them.
I Want to Learn More About Photography? Will You Teach Me?
I enjoy teaching and am always willing to share whatever knowledge I may have. I have a photography education site called Photography In Plain English. I also have a Facebook page and YouTube channel. Please feel free to check them out. And, if you have any photography related questions, please feel free to reach out to me at the Contact Me page.
Zev