Senior Photographer Jim Hilgedick first got involved with photography back in the fourth grade with a school issued TLR. Shot TRI-X from hand loaded cassettes via a bulk roll. Learned film development and printing/enlarging.

His first owned camera was a Canon AE-1 purchased, from of all places Montgomery Wards, in 1981. Shot school events, graduations, vacations and a few weddings before becoming disenfranchised when looking to upgrade bodies and couldn't take his investment in lenses with him.

As a result Jim did not pursue a career in photography, opting instead into a field of communication technologies and eventually his own satellite communications business. Fast forward to 2004 after the adoption of his three sons and the rekindling of the photography bug with his newly acquired photo ops, Jim invested in his first dSLR, a Nikon D70.

Getting thrust back into the nuances of the photography, Jim realized he may have missed his calling and began to further delve into its realm. Absorbing as much information available in the internet forums, purchasing of better equipment, lighting and studio gear and even enrollment in the prestigious New York Institute of Photography as a refresher for a "back to the basics" approach are just a few of the many tasks undertaken to move away from his current occupation and into professional photography.

2008 has been a busy year for Jim photographically. He began accepting paid clients in January, joined the PPA in March and the MNPPA in April. The two memberships have more than paid for themselves already. The information, networking and overall comradery with these professionals was more than Jim ever expected … and he has become that much better of a photographer as a result.