about Dexter (Photo 1)

I worked as a newspaper photographer in the Bay Area from 1985 to 1994. After being laid off, I exited journalism, took a few months off and returned to sales.

During the time that I was shooting news, it was not unusual for firefighters, paramedics and police officers to ask if I had gotten a picture of them performing their duties. Working for newspapers, it was not practical for me to accommodate their requests.

In 2001, I spoke with Chief Bill McCammon about being a photographer for ACFD. After thinking about it for a month, he called me and said that we could try it for a year which turn into 7 years. In 2008, I was asked to take down the website temporarily and that I would be brought back the following year under some new program. It took twelve years but now I'm back with the help and support of Chief McDonald, Chief Nishimoto, Captain Centoni, Reserve Captain McDowell and many others.

This new website will show pictures that I started taking in September 2021 and moving forward. Over time, I will re-introduce the images that were posted on the old website as well so you can view past friends and family. My focus now is more on the firefighters and faces rather than the action though I will shoot both.

I am retired from paid employment. My last employer was Kaiser Permanente where I worked in a large production pharmacy for 12 years. Of course if someone makes me the right offer, I might return to the work force.

I am also a member of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Unit. My role there is Lieutenant of Administration Services and my primary responsibilities are recruiting and managing public relation details. In the past, I have also been a Police Explorer, trained as an EMT (expired), trained as a Reserve Police Officer, worked as a Police Services Aide so I have just enough education in emergency services to get myself into trouble.

This new website will show pictures that I started taking in September 2021 and moving forward. Over time, I will re-introduce the images that were posted on the old website as well so you can view past friends and family.

My focus now is more on the firefighters and faces rather than the action though I will shoot both. On scenes, I usually move around, being aware of my surrounding and safety, and take a lot of photos. I always try to shoot from behind patients so they cannot be recognized. License plates are distorted and addresses are not listed in my photo folder lists. If there is something that you feel that I need to know about a scene, please feel free to call me over and let me know. It is never my objective to aggravate nor embarrass anyone.

I edit and crop my photos, making minor adjustments to lighting and hopefully fix what I didn't do correctly when I shot the image. I am selective on what I publish so you may not see a picture that you saw me take. It simply wasn't good enough. I'll apologize in advance if I flash you at a night scene.

These images are copyrighted by me but are free for you to download and print. If you order prints through the website, please be aware that the prices listed are those of smugmug.com. I do not receive nor do I want any compensation. It would just cause me to have to get a business license and business insurance again.

Anything else you want to know about me. Just ask. I can be reached at dexter@sumodog.com.