It just kind of happened. I suppose it's possible that it's what I do because my father was an avid amateur photographer and I did admire the man a great deal, or it could be that my mother was an artist... I couldn't tell you why for sure. What I can tell you is that I really love what I do and I spend a lot of time refining, perfecting and even obsessing over my work... It is a passion.
I have spent a lot of time reflecting on things such as what is my "style" of photography. Style comes with time and is a difficult thing to force. I think more important than style is being aware of the literal nature of the image I see and striving to go beyond that in an aesthetic sense to create a captivating image.
Born June 11, 1951 in Georgetown Washington D.C. as Robert M. Braley Jr. to Robert M. Braley and Vivian E. Braley. My parents were Salvation Army Officers assigned to Georgetown Salvation Army Corps. Later that year our family was transfered to Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1953 we were transfered to Yuba City, California. In 1956 we were in the flood and by 1957 my parents left being Salvation Army Officers.
In 1958 my dad went back to work for the Salvation Army in Santa Monica, California and I would spend most of my education years in Santa Monica and graduate from Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI) Class of 1969. While attending SAMOHI I took my first Photography Class'.
In 1970 I entered the United States Air Force and spent the next four years as a Jet Engine Mechanic. Upon discharge from the USAF I entered California State Uni, L.A. in Industrial Technology. More formal training in photography was taken. I have been involved in photography ever since, yet not as a full-time career.
I moved to Alaska in 1985 and would complete a 27-1/2 military career in the Alaska Air National Guard with the 176th Civil Engineer Squadron, retiring October 1, 2008.
I now travel around the U.S. in my motorhome and do photography where ever I am.
