Photographer tells of journey up
By Maggie Rife

    Nine years ago I left a full time job as copy editor at a Lincoln newspaper in Nebraska to pursue something new: the art of photography.
    I was 42 when I took a buyout from Lee Enterprises and a year’s salary and rekindled my passion for photography.
    The decision was a bit risky. But I had been dreaming about photography and owning my own studio. In one of my dreams, I was photographing a couple by a window in a magnificent old building. They were in love and I could see the light in their eyes. I was amazed at how beautiful they looked and how they shared such a perfect moment. It was fantastic! I was there capturing it. It pretty much made up my mind.”
    I always loved photography and you only get one chance.
    I bought the business from retiring photographer and teacher Bob Dawson and set out to learn as much as I could about portrait work. Having worked for newspapers for 18 years, I already was grounded in the principles of photojournalism. I would have to learn the techniques of studio lighting and posing.
    When I got started, I wanted to try a new and dramatic style. I wanted to take the camera off the tripod and shoot from different angles, in different locations and with different light. I learned fast and progressed rapidly.. My second year in competition with the Professional Photographers of Nebraska, I won a top portrait of show trophy, a Fuji masterpiece award, the novice photographer of the year award and finished as one of the top ten photographers in the state.
    I have learned my portrait skills from some of the best photographers in the nation and the world and continue to attend seminars and workshops.
    I believe the best photographs are a combination of expression, form and light. A candid photograph tends to say far more than anything imagined or contrived, so my goal is to put you at ease and in the best light with an honest representation of who you are. At Tim Rife Photography, we can capture the moment. In a photo session, I will choose backgrounds and locations that complement your looks and personalities. I will also invite you to join the creative process.
    Tim Rife Photography is a full-service studio offering portraits of adults and children for nearly all occasions. The studio prides itself on photographic excellence and treats every client with respect and dignity.
    I am grateful beyond words for the gift of photography, but I am even more thankful for the relationships that have come my way as a result. I dreamed of finding the light and also discovered friends in the process.
    If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to visit the galleries and drop me a line if wish.

Thanks,

Tim Rife
 

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