I am Lee Meeks, owner of Lane Cristin Photography, based in Alexandria, VA.

The name for the studio, Lane Cristin Photography, comes from the middle names of our two youngest daughters: Avery Lane Ha Meeks and Emma Cristin Nho Meeks (both girls were adopted in Viet Nam, in 2006 and 2002 respectively).  I also have two adult daughters and five grandchildren.  Family means a lot to me.

I served 20 years in the Marine Corps as an infantry officer.  Now I am a satellite systems engineer by day and an independent photographer the rest of the time. A 1976 graduate of the Naval Academy, I also have a PhD in Information Systems and Technology Management—that just means I am a technology geek—but photography is my creative outlet and my passion.  My mantra is, "I vote for adventure.”  Collecting experiences and pursuing thrills have long been a way of life.  I’ve bungee-jumped with special forces counterparts in Thailand, scuba-dived with Hammerhead sharks in Hawaii, parachuted into remote unnamed places, and helicoptered into Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines shortly after its last major eruption in 1991.  I revel in destinations and adventure; I also revel in the journey.  And, it also turns out, I can find interesting subjects close to home.

My photographic influences are numerous.  I seek perspective and inspiration from the works of lots of other photographers and artists of all skill levels and all media types.  I particularly enjoy interacting with fellow artists via social media.  Two influences worth mentioning: Joe McNally and Bryan Peterson.  I read, "If you want to take more interesting pictures, stand in front of more interesting stuff."  So I endeavor to.  Joe takes amazing pictures; with great humor and style he shares the knowledge to follow in his footsteps.  Besides interesting subjects, outstanding technical skill and artistic vision are important.  From Bryan Peterson I have learned to be disciplined and creative.  I got the idea for my "Swimming Strawberries" series from Bryan's PPSOP newsletter.

I have many photographic interests: people, places, food, sports, and events.  I believe finding my vision and style will take a while—I have been counseled, “don’t rush that journey.”  I study and consider the classical visual design elements of space, line, color, shape, texture, pattern, and light.  I am particularly interested in integrating these elements from the point of the view of a seen or unseen subject.  Hence my tag-line: “Reflecting Life.”

See: http://lanecristinphotography.com and follow me on twitter: @LCP_photog & @lmeeks54