I have four passions in my life. My family, friends, golf, and photography. I will leave it up to you to decide their order of importance. I can only say that my life would be incomplete without all three of them. Obviously there are more but these are the three things that occupy my conscience being at any given moment.
My family is the wonderful woman I married 45 years ago. She is my best friend, life partner, and I love her dearly. My Daughter who is working on her Doctorate in nursing and building a great life with a wonderful man and they now have a four children, Joshua, Gabby,Austin, and Addie. My Son has become an incredible salesperson and is now managing a sales department for one of the largest retail businesses in Dubuque. He married a wonderful woman May 1, 2021 and they are enjoying life together.
I love them all deeply and I am so proud of my children!
My photography, which has been a part of my life since my parents (who were very poor) first helped me buy (I had a paper route at 9) a Brownie 127 film camera. 1977 I bought my first 35mm film camera and thought I had made the big times. In 2000 I bought my first digital camera and it unlocked a passion in me that wanted to create images and capture memories. Today I have three Nikon DSLRs and yes it is way more equipment then I need but I am truly happiest when I have a camera in my hand and up to my eye. So if it is more than I need then I am guilty of being selfish but hopefully the images I capture will bring others the same level of enjoyment they provide for me.
My Golf, In the four years since my retirement I have taken up golf again, which has been enjoyable and also extremely frustrating. It has reconnected me to many of my friends but my skill level is so bad that I have trouble breaking 100 on most days. Still the last four years have been enjoyable.
My Friends, are a hugely important part of my life. I have friends from 60 years ago to present day. I cherish them all and life would be incomplete without their wonderful presence.
I retired February 07, 2018 from Ohnward Bancshares, Inc. as the Chief HR Officer after an 18 year career with that wonderful organization. Prior to that I spent many years in HR Consulting and Insurance work.
I started a corporate photography business called “Have Studio Will Travel.” I have a full complement of studio strobes, modifiers, and backdrops. I think there is a huge need for professional head shots, corporate marketing, and product photography.
The photo above. Well it symbolizes my philosophy of eating dessert first. This image was taken by Krista Grant who was a friend and one of my bosses. There is another saying which, has become one of my favorites. “Yesterday is past, tomorrow is a mystery and today is gift, that is why it is called the present.” “Life is short so eat dessert first.” Krista’s life ended all too short and she worked way too many hours. So eat dessert first and enjoy life my friends because you probably won’t get a second chance.
And that is who I am.
Upde Designs 
Great shots Upde. Your talent is obviously with a camera in your hand, and not a golf club.
I’ll continue to visit your site often.
PF
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Dave: just found your great Blog and Andreas Blog. Both have great content and photos. I am from Le Claire and would like to join you to shoot around the Green Island area sometime.
I shoot Eagles almost every day during dec, jan, and feb at LD14 and welcome you to join me.
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Dave: saw your comment about Sigma 150-500. I have one and get pretty good results with it. Email me and I’ll share some very interesting things about the lens.
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Hi, I would like to purchase one of your pictures! I have a brick from when lightning struck the tower down town and realized that I never framed it. Every time I look at the brick I think of your awesome picture of the tower. I would love to add it to my photography wall! Let me know, thanks so much.
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David I just found your blog Adam amazed, that someone that came from Ridgeway could be so talented, I will follow your blog. Very good pictures. Your old racing buddy Alan Polley.
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HI Alan Wow! What a super complement. You made my day my Friend. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoy taking them. All the best to you and your family.
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Hello :
I just wanted to say how sorry I am about the loss of your dog, Maggie. I have two cats who are getting “up” there in age and know their time here is limited …. How were you able to cope if I can ask ?? Nice blog too !! I enjoy reading it …
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Hi Jonny. Thank you for your sympathy and your complement. It is always difficult to lose a loved one, be it a friend or pet. There is a void in your life that only time can heal. I miss little Maggie as she was my little friend that always had a warm and happy greeting for me when I came home.
No way to replace that. Enjoy your cats each day you have them and realize that the end of the journey comes to us all. I wish you well.
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Thanks for following my blog. My list is complete. Not blogging much now, focusing on painting. Your photography is great
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Thank you very much. Sorry to hear you’re not blogging much. Such a neat concept. Thanks for checking out my blog. Hope you do a little more from time to time.
Regards,
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Hi Dave! Thank you for visiting my blog, I’m glad it led me back to yours. You take incredible photos. Looking forward to more! 🙂 – Faye
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Thank you so very much Faye. How kind of you to say that. You made my day.
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You’re welcome 😀
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Dave I think your pictures are amazing and they speak for themselves.. I so appreciate you sharing them and always love hearing happy stories..
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Thank you Darla. That’s very kind of you to say that. I’m glad you enjoy them.
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Hello Dave, my name is Pam True, Office Manager for the Jackson County Conservation/Hurstville Interpretive Center. The Director, Daryl Parker is retiring from Conservation as of 12/31/19 and his wife would like to present him an aerial photo of the Hurstville Interpretive Center for a retirement/Christmas gift. I was told that you may have some aerial photos from a public program that was held out here at the Center. If that is so would it be possible to get a copy of that photo?
Thank you,
Pam True
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