Most of my character images derive from working with a greeting card company located in Chicago. They had found an image of mine and wanted to buy it for a single greeting card. I sold it to them and asked them if they ever used original photos for the cards. They sent me about a dozen layouts with the copy on the outside and the punchline on the inside. They thought I was just going to shoot one image, but I did a dozen images, and I did it in a way that worked for me and was within their budget. Over the next two years, I did over 150 images for them. I was able to understand what they were going for, and then added my production values and insight to the images. I always included a makeup/hair artist and a stylist. My stylist was awesome and whatever I asked for, she and my assistants were always able to deliver. We did Christmas cards, Father’s and Mother’s Days, Valentine, Graduation, New Year’s, Birthday, Easter, and Get Well cards. I photographed beautiful women; strange-looking women, men, and children; babies; puppies, cats, and dogs of all breeds. Photographing characters helped me develop as a photographer by building my experience in the areas of casting, lighting, working with freelancers, and directing.