About Me

A Family of Photographers

During my childhood, my dad was a professional photojournalist and portrait photographer. He had a business called Sheldon Traver Photography. You can see where I got the inspiration for my own business name. His strong charisma and people skills, not to mention his photography skills were inspiring to me. So much so that by the time I was fifteen years old, I decided to buy a used Nikon D7000 for myself with all the money I saved up working in Silverton High School's SCAN-TV and technology department. I used a 50mm (nifty fifty) lens to get started, and just fell in love with DSLRs. I saved up more money and purchased a 18-200mm lens so that I could get some range. My passion for photography kept growing exponentially. Halfway through my sophomore year of high school, I was skilled enough that my classmates were asking me to take their senior photos. I obliged, and my passion continued to grow when I saw the smiles on their faces as they got their photos back.

I had been studying video production and graphic design for my high school electives, and decided I also wanted to pursue that in my career in addition to my photography. After I graduated from high school, I was accepted into the Visual Communications program at Chemeketa Community College, where I studied for two terms (and learned a lot!) before accepting a job managing the SCAN-TV video production program at Silverton High School. I continued with my general studies while working full time and doing professional photography.

Before long, my incredible little sister, Clara, sparked an interest in photography as well. I had upgraded from my starter camera, so I passed on my Nikon D7000 to her so that she could begin to pursue her passion. The family of photographers continued to grow!