F8 with Oz is a play on the photography cliche “F/8 and be there.” There is plenty of debate over who first coined the phrase, but most importantly, it suggests a readiness to grab your camera and go. Ozzie is my call sign, most often shortened to Oz in usage. I’ll spare you the origin story of the call sign; maybe if we meet up in a far-flung location with cameras in hand, I’ll share it with you.

It seems most of my hobbies blend seamlessly with photography. That synergy also gives me plentiful reasons to grab my camera and head out on a hike, walk, trip, museum visit, kayaking adventure, etc.

This site is a way of organizing my efforts to improve. Having a site for content pushes me to think about environmental shots to set the stage, action shots to tweak interest, and detail shots to provide color. Despite my best intentions, my previous method could be generously described as spray and pray.

I’m a husband of 30+ years (probably my most surprising accomplishment, knowing me as I do) and a father of 3 incredible young men. We’ve raised our family in Virginia, although Nikki and I have lived in MN, WI, FL, TX, AR, and NC. Before we were married, I was an exchange student for a year in Germany in high school and spent six months studying in the Middle East in college (Nikki was in the same study program, meet cute). We’ve also lived in Japan for three years, courtesy of the USMC.

I was a pilot for sixteen years, the first ten in the Marines and the last six flying corporate jets for high-net-worth folks. Through studying, trips, and work, I’ve been to over 80 countries. My primary takeaway from all this travel is that people around the world are the same. Everybody wants to be free, have opportunities, raise their children in peace, and believe as they find best.