I believe A GREAT photo captures a moment that transcends the sum of its technical elements. It can have a mood that evokes an emotion of peace and tranquility or excitement and exhilaration. It doesn’t have to tell a story in a narrative way; it doesn’t have to have animals or people; or be taken in some exotic location. A great photo can convey a moment in time in such a way that puts the viewer in the present of that moment much like a good book can take a person to places they've never been to before. Or, it may be that one photo out of a thousand that captures that moment of heightened tension between hunter and prey. I believe it is the challenge and persistence of searching, capturing, and processing a great photo that is the art of photography.

    The challenge of capturing a great photo is what I, as a photographic artist, am always striving for; it is what drives me to get up at 3am, well before the sun rises, with the hope of capturing a scene during the day's blue or golden hour or to obliviously consume an hour while gradually stalking an animal, earning its trust, so that it may be approached close enough to clearly photograph its natural behavior.

    For me it is not just the end result - a great photo - that drives me, but also the journey and the adventure that comes with capturing it.

    As a Northwest Florida native, I have always enjoyed the outdoors. As a child, between riding my bicycle to Okaloosa Island, swimming in Cinco Bayou, and fishing in local rivers- I was fascinated by nature and the native wildlife. Often my mom could find me outside chasing bugs and lizards, or in the house with my nose buried in one of my countless Wildlife & Nature Encyclopedias- that I still own to this day. I've always felt a closeness with nature that I use for inspiration for when seeking and taking my photos.

    After 20 years working in the Engineering field, I decided to take up photography as a hobby. I purchased a Canon 30D DSLR camera, with a few lenses, and fell in the love with the ability to control light and composition. I soon discovered the creative potential that digital photography offered and combined my new found photography skills with my passion for nature. I suddenly found that my old childhood passion was rekindled; my photo adventures were relaxing, therapeutic, and nature became an important part of my life again. Seeing nature through the lens of a camera I realized that nature is an art all in itself. I became very passionate about capturing the simplicity, beauty, and elegance of nature. It also enabled me to show people the things that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to see or would have simply walked by without notice. It pleases me when something about an image creates a unique emotional connection with the viewer.

    I became further inspired to pursue photography after friends and family encouraged me to display and sell my work. Since taking that advice, I have been recognized and honored through the region with various awards and published works. 

    I love to photograph nature landscapes, macros, and wildlife. As with all art forms, each person has their individual interpretation; I hope my artistic vision is revealed in each of my captures.

11 years later, I was able to retire in March  2017 from my "regular" job as an engineer to become a full time professional freelance nature photographer.  This wouldn't have been possible with out the support of my wife, Angelique, who has managed all of the business ends since 2007 as Waldorff Photography evolved.   I've been blessed that my photographic work has become sought after by many of the Emerald Coast's local residents, businesses, and visitors from around the country. I continue to enjoy shooting along the Florida’s Emerald Coast; it's the wondrous beauty of the Northwest Florida Coastline that keeps me and my family local residents.