Brief Summary
Growing up I was always fascinated with my fathers incredible camera and equipment. I watched him take beautiful photos of my family and myself, many I still have. I knew photography would be an art medium I would pursue in my art career but never realized how amazing that ride would be. I did dabble in just about every artistic medium known to man, and truly enjoy expressing myself in each and every one.
I have no formal photography training, I am self-taught. I looked at a lot of pictures from past masters and studied vintage photography; which many people say they can see that style in my work. I did train with other artistic mediums at Village Art Studios in Lutz, FL (1990-1996) under Becky Kempton, and Portfolio I Honors in High School.
In 1997 I graduated from Land O Lakes High School, and went right into ITT Technical Institute, Tampa. It was there I learned the aspect of lighting, and use that in my work today. However I tend to use natural lighting when ever possible. I like working with the challenges involved with low lighting of making the light provided work. When I do photograph a subject I love utilizing the shadows - most consider this feedback, but I think of it as power. If Jimmy Hendrix can use sound feedback to create a masterpiece, I can do it with shadows.
In 2003 I started Dowd Studios, Inc. My studio was designed to take away many of the problems I found "in studio" for parents while working at the "Picture People". I also wanted the chance to be creative since I was reprimanded for being creative at the Picture People.
In 2004 I took on the national touring band 16 Second Stare. There I applied my skills for video editing and capturing to create some of their YouTube music videos. I worked with other bands creating CD covers, video and any other creative items they desired. My experiences led me to meet and work with top music industry professionals such as Mark Nawara - Manager of Brian "Head" Welch, Jesse Dupree - TruTV's Full Throttle Saloon and Lead Singer of Jackyl, Miguel Gonzalez - Producer and Bass Player for Brian Howe of Bad Company, Rob Zombie and more. I even video taped 16 Second Stare on the "Monster Energy Stage" during Crue Fest 2.
I also produced the music video "Shake the Cage" a song by Holes and Hearts. The video has over 20,000 views, and was one of 5 videos chosen to be on Bay News 9's "You on Demand".
In 2010 I started my first art collection "Dreams, Nightmares, Fears and Fantasy" which stems from my own fears and nightmares I've faced since a child. That collection did so well, that it made the walls in a Hong Kong Gallery. Today it's in galleries across the country.
This particular series led to another series called Earth Angel which depicts scenes of good vs. evil. Proving good will always win over evil. It also led to another series called "Reality". This series I use a shock value to open our eyes to the corruption and the declining morals of our society. I use it to show us the result of our actions, to change the status quo.
Since 2010 I've been on over 35 radio interviews and I've appeared on FOX 13 Good Day Tampa Bay, ABC News Channel 10 in Sacramento and Bloomberg Television.
Clients
HOK Architects
Chef Robert Hesse (Hells Kitchen Season 5 and 6)
Angelo Dundee
Dave Shaw - Tampa Bay Lightning
San Diego Voice and Viewpoint
Awards and Recognition
2011 – Photograph of a vintage Coca-Cola print ad was accepted by the company and now on display in their corporate office
2008 I photographed Senator Barack Obama’s only Democratic Primary stop in the Tampa Bay area for the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint
1997 – My photo “Jack Murphy Stadium” placed 1st in ArtFest 97
1997 – Placed honorable mention in the Congressional Art Show in Tarpon Springs, FL for a picture of “Fenway Park”
