About the Artist

Born in Oakland, CA, Van's family moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 1965. He attended Patrick Henry Jr. High School and received his high school diploma from Washington Sr. High. After a few years working on construction and then as a draftsman, he joined the Military.

Van started his love of photography while enjoying a 27-year career as a communications technician in the U.S. Air Force. His travels throughout his career lead him to photograph such places as Japan, Italy, Sicily, France, Germany, Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United States. He has officially photographed two Presidential visits for base newspapers and numerous military air shows as a backup photographer.

He now enjoys an interaction with people through portrait photography.

Photograph by Tony Downer