ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m David: Veteran, Adventurer & "Picture Freak"

If you found me by accident or intended to be here, welcome to my little corner of the internet

If you are looking for the polished bio of a professional photographer, you might be in the wrong place. I am a passionate hobbyist, documenting the life Gio and I are building—whether that's snapping goofy photos of the dogs or snorkeling with Green Sea Turtles.I was born and raised right here in San Bernardino, California. At 58, I’ve lived a few different lives. My journey began as a USAF Firefighter stationed in Guam and Colorado Springs. After the service, I became a Paramedic and Field Training Officer in the Loma Linda area, spending years in the high-stress world of emergency medicine.In 2016, I reinvented myself, trading the ambulance for the classroom. I graduated from San Bernardino Valley College with an AS in Computer Information Systems, where I stayed active as President of the Veterans Club and Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society. It was a reminder that it’s never too late to change your path.

The Journey Behind the Lens

I have always been a "picture freak." Back in the day, I had shoeboxes full of prints from those old cardboard Fujifilm disposable cameras, always hoping one or two shots out of the whole roll turned out nice.The turning point was a college-level Photography and Photoshop class. That’s where a casual interest transformed into a way of life.

Escaping the "Auto Mode" Trap

I have a confession: Until two years ago, I stayed safely in the "Auto Mode" zone. I let the camera make all the decisions.That changed when I took a photography group class at the Loma Linda VA Clinic. I finally cracked the code on the Exposure Triangle—understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together. Since that day, I haven’t taken a single photo in Auto Mode.Currently, I am honored to have ten of my best photos on display at the Loma Linda VA Clinic. They are rotating to the main VA Hospital soon, and I’ve even entered the VA National Creative Arts Festival. (Fingers crossed—if I win, I’m heading to the national festival in Tampa, Florida!)

The Evolution of My Gear: From DSLR to the Canon R7

For a long time, I was a die-hard DSLR fan. My Canon Rebel T3i was my trusty sidekick for a decade, and for a while, I thought the Canon 90D was the pinnacle of my setup. But as our adventures grew—from the Colorado River to the heights of the Grand Canyon—I realized I needed gear that could keep up with our fast-paced life on the road.

Making the Leap to Mirrorless

I finally made the jump to the Canon EOS R7, and it has been a game-changer. Moving to a mirrorless system isn't just about a smaller body; it’s about the tech inside. The R7’s In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) and blazing-fast subject tracking mean I can capture crisp shots of an Air Premia 787 over LAX or a quick sunset over the Mojave with much more precision than ever before.

A New Perspective from Above

To truly "reinvent" how I capture our moments, I’ve also added a DJI Mini 4K drone to my kit. It allows me to get those sweeping, cinematic "birds-eye" views of our Dutch Star at a remote campsite or the vastness of the Calico Dry Lake Bed that were simply impossible from the ground.Combined with my existing collection of EF lenses (thanks to a handy adapter!), this new mirrorless setup ensures that every "remember when" moment is captured with the vibrancy and detail it deserves.

Adventures with Gio: Helicopters, Jet Skis & Road Trips

In January 2015, I met Gio. We tied the knot that December, and my life got infinitely more adventurous.We discovered early on that we share an insatiable thirst for travel. It started with a Halloween getaway to Las Vegas in 2015, and we haven’t stopped since. Vegas holds a special place in our hearts—we’ve made ten escapes to Sin City, doing everything from flying superhero-style 11 stories over Fremont Street on Slotzilla to taking to the skies.

Taking Flight with Maverick Helicopters

We don't just stick to the ground. We realized early on that to truly capture the majesty of the Southwest, we needed a different perspective. We have flown three times with Maverick Helicopters, and every flight offered views that simply aren't possible from the road.The Grand Canyon: This wasn't just a flyover. We descended 3,500 feet below the rim, landing on a private plateau inside Hualapai Indian Territory. Standing at the bottom of the canyon, looking up at the ancient rock walls while the Colorado River flowed nearby, was a humbling reminder of nature's scale.Red Rock Canyon: We traded the city noise for the silent, fiery geology of the Mojave. Soaring over the Calico Hills, the contrast between the deep red sandstone and the bright blue desert sky created a landscape that looked almost like Mars.The Las Vegas Strip: The "City of Lights" lives up to its name from the air. Cruising down the Strip at night is sensory overload in the best way possible. Seeing the Bellagio fountains dancing from above and the endless glow of the neon canyons is an experience that never gets old.

Our Obsession with Jet Skiing

If there is water, we want to be on it. We have developed a serious obsession with Jet Skiing. We’ve carved up the waters of the Colorado River in Laughlin (five times!), raced across the San Diego Bay, cruised the tropical waters of Miami's South Beach, and even jetted right up to the Hoover Dam on Lake Mead.

The Dream is Now: Full-Time RV Life

Remember when we said we wanted to slow down and live on the road? Well, we stopped dreaming about it and started doing it! In January 2026, we officially traded the stationary life for a 2005 Newmar Dutch Star 4023.We aren't just driving through the country anymore; we're living in it. From installing new Sterling Oak flooring to making sure the 65-inch TV is perfectly mounted for those "Service Account reality" evenings, the Dutch Star is truly home. With our white 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara in tow, we’re ready to explore every hidden gem from the Cajon Pass to the furthest corners of the map. It’s a new kind of freedom, and we’re taking it one mile—and one photo—at a time.

What You'll Find on This Website

I built this site to share our journey and perhaps inspire yours. Here is how I break it down:

Everyday Life: The day-to-day moments that make life sweet.
Making Memories: A gallery of Gio and me exploring the world.
Concert Nights: Chronicling our 58+ concerts (and counting!).
Traveling is Fun: Tips, tricks, and photos from our road trips.
The Blog: I post weekly updates ranging from Photoshop tips to stories about our day trips to places like the Salton Sea.

So, stick around. Whether you are here for the photography tips or the travel stories, I’m glad you’re along for the ride.

Meet Gio: Cancer Survivor, Scholar & My Co-Pilot

If I am the one documenting the journey, Gio is the heart behind it. At 42 years old, his story is one of relentless perseverance.

Born and raised in La Loma, Michoacán, Mexico, Gio came to the U.S. with a drive that is hard to match. He didn’t learn English in a fancy classroom; he taught himself by watching the news and listening to music, dissecting the lyrics until the language made sense. When we met, he was working hard as a ranch hand in Temecula, commuting over an hour each way.

The Battle for His Life

Before we ever crossed paths, Gio faced a battle that defines his resilience. In early 2014, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He underwent surgery, but in October 2014, the cancer reappeared in the lymph nodes of his lower back.

He didn’t have the luxury of pausing his life. He fought this terrifying battle while working as a ranch hand. He immediately began an aggressive, high-dose inpatient chemotherapy treatment—a grueling process that tested every ounce of his strength. But he didn’t break.

On December 20, 2014, he finished his treatment and was declared cancer-free.

We met just one week later, in January 2015. While I didn’t witness the fight itself, I see the strength he gained from it every single day. Today, after years of follow-ups and scans, I am proud to say he has been cancer-free for eleven years.

From the Ranch to the Classroom

Gio has never done things the easy way. While working full days on the ranch in Temecula and enduring a brutal commute, he enrolled in Adult Ed to get his GED. He went to class for four hours, two nights a week. Six months later, he tested and passed on his very first attempt.

But he wanted more. He set his sights on the EMT School at Crafton Hills College for the Spring 2020 semester. However, as a first-time college student, he was last in line to register. By late October 2019, the classes were full. His only option to get into the system? A grueling, eight-week fast-paced Medical Terminology course starting in just two days.

Beating the Odds

For someone who taught himself English just a few years prior, taking an upper-level, fast-paced medical course was a massive risk. He crushed it, earning an 89.7%. (We are still a little salty the professor didn’t round up to an A!)

That success unlocked the door to the EMT program. The standards at Crafton Hills are incredibly high. Statistically, first-time pass rates for the National Registry EMT Exam hover around 60-70%. To pass the Crafton program without having to repeat a single section and pass the National Registry exam on the first attempt is a “unicorn” achievement—something very few students accomplish. Gio did exactly that.

A New Calling: Sociology & Advocacy

Gio graduated from EMT school in Spring 2020—right as the world shut down. With graduation going virtual and the COVID-19 pandemic claiming thousands of lives a day by that summer, we had a hard conversation. We decided he would not go to the front lines of a global crisis with his medical history.

Instead, he pivoted. He realized his heart lay in helping others in a different way. He is now pursuing a degree in Sociology, with the goal of becoming a social worker to support homeless and addicted veterans.

Since that pivot, he has been unstoppable:

Named Sociology Student of the Year in 2022.
Graduated as a First Generation college student with an AS in Sociology in May 2023.
Served as an officer for the Undocumented Advocacy Club.
Accepted into the CSUSB Sociology program in Fall 2024, set to earn his Bachelor’s in May 2026.

Seeing the World

Before we met, Gio hadn’t left California in nearly 20 years. Our trip to Las Vegas for Halloween 2015 was his first time crossing state lines in decades.

Since then, he has become a true traveler. From the Four Corners to the tropical beaches of Hawaii and the humidity of Florida, he has now visited eight states. He’s also becoming a bit of a history buff, having visited four State Capitol Buildings in California, Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico.