| |
Member Spotlight March 2011
Lane Bigler
What is your background, education, training, work experience, if other than photography?
Years ago, I dropped a quarter and it rolled on the floor. When it came to a stop, it remained vertical; neither falling on its head nor tail. I still remember thinking - WOW-What are the odds of that happening?!
At the recent AzPPA Annual Convention, when I received a few awards, I was thinking the same thing (and some of you may have, too) -WOW-What are the odds of that happening?!
Now, I will get to the questions that Rochell asked me to respond to.
I studied linguistics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry in my undergraduate work. I then pursued medicine and double specialized in Dermatology and Pathology at New York University, Ohio State University, Saint Louis University, and University of Alabama at Birmingham. I then worked as a teaching physician at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale before starting private practice in Mesa.
My particular area of interest and specialization is related to malignancies of the skin. I spend the bulk of my time evaluating patients for such cancers, managing these primarily with surgical modalities and performing the pathology / microscopy for these tumors.How long have you been a photographer? When and how did you get started? How did you learn photography?
My professional life has been very rewarding and satisfying. Helping people through challenging times is tremendously gratifying, but can also be quite stressful. In 2007, I felt the need to pursue a hobby as a release from some of the pressures related to my work and also because I was looking for an avenue through which I would be able to express more creativity than medicine lends itself to. Another factor that played a role in shifting gears at this point in my life was that I almost died from a flu shot a few years ago. I was unable to eat or drink for over 6 months and had to close my practice for a while. During these challenging times, I had a 'forced opportunity' to evaluate my life now that my 6 children were mostly grown and out of the house and how I wanted to spend the remainder of my time on the planet.
Initially, I purchased a camera to pursue a hobby. I had been involved in photography to a small degree in high school so I knew that I had some interest in this form of art. I quickly became addicted to EVERYTHING PHOTOGRAPHIC. I have not had any formal photographic education, other than AzPPA meetings, a couple of workshops, and an occasional evening in Phoenix to listen to a traveling speaker, such a Joe McNally of National Geographic.
What is your specialty?
I have very much enjoyed being outdoors and am thrilled by "The Hunt" for a beautiful landscape image. That is the area of photography that has captured my heart and spirit, although I am starting to expand my horizons to portraiture and macrophotography.
What are your goals for your business?
I am contemplating a second career in photography, possibly in a few years. At minimum, I would like to set up a website and online store to sell fine art landscape prints.
What has been you most successful marketing effort to date?
At this point, I have to respond with NA for now. For my medical practice, word-of-mouth has been my only method of advertising / marketing.
Why did you join AzPPA?
I am a member of AzPPA thanks to Wendy Newman. She introduced me to the Association during a Photography / Photoshop evening meeting in Phoenix. I have been extremely grateful to all of the members of the AzPPA for their friendship and for sharing of their knowledge and wisdom with me. There are many exceedingly talented artists among you and it is a great privilege to be part of such a terrific group of people. I would especially like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Wendy Newman and Bob Coates for their outstanding leadership, friendship, and for setting the photographic bar so exceptionally high. |
|
