Don lives in rural Wadena on the farm on which he was raised. Seeing and visually communicating the beauty of nature, people, and their activities is a life-long passion-one that drew him to photography at an early age. In 1970 he began work in a portrait photography business, then managed and eventually owned the business located in downtown Wadena, until he retired in 2014.

Past involvements include citizen soldier in the MN Army National Guard, Minnesota Professional Photographers Association, (Council Member) Professional Photographers of America (earning the Master Photographers and the Master Craftsman degrees) Past-President of the Wadena Rotary Club, and Past-President of Madhatters Community Theatre (Wadena).

Currently he works part time for the City of Wadena at the Municipal Liquor Store, is a member of the Staples Area Men’s Chorus and serves on the board of directors for Lamplighters Community Theater in Staples. He enjoys traveling, attending performances, and maintaining the 120 plus acres of prairie grass, woods, stream, home and farm buildings where he lives.

He is so grateful for living in an area where there are so many wonderful artists, and where there are artistic opportunities in which to participate, attend, and appreciate. He looks forward to encouraging and promoting these people and opportunities.