A few things about the Photographer, his beautiful Wife, and their lovely daughter

    Gaughenbaugh Studio is a dedicated photography business led by professionals with a wealth of experience. With a degree in Professional Photography from the Hallmark School of Photography, I graduated in 1983, specializing in portrait, commercial, and sports photography. My career began at Yearbook Associates, focusing on collegiate portraiture, and later at Olan Mills Photography as a studio photographer and instructor. My academic journey also includes a degree in Social Work from West Virginia University, where I contributed to the university's newspaper covering social and sports events. My wife Sarah, a talented painter with a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from West Liberty University, has retired after 43 years in education and now serves as an Adjunct Professor of Art at Wheeling University. Our daughter Emily, who holds a degree in Graphic Design/Illustration from West Liberty University, shares her passion for teaching and currently works with preschool-aged children at Washington Lands Elementary School.

  At Gaughenbaugh Studio, we embrace a traditional approach to photography, grounded in both film and digital techniques. Our artistic vision remains steadfastly rooted in classic forms of art and photography. With extensive experience in both color and black and white mediums, I’ve utilized various formats, having spent countless hours in a darkroom, and now apply numerous digital post-processing applications. Regardless of the medium or technique, the thought, design, and execution behind each image are paramount. My wife’s artistic journey includes working with oil, acrylic, and watercolor on various surfaces, reinforcing the idea that experience and skill are foundational to creating compelling art.

This is a brief overview encapsulating decades of our shared dedication to the art of photography and education.

  In addition to my artistic pursuits, I have a background in military service, having retired from the Navy in 2001 after 23.5 years. Initially serving as a Second Class Petty Officer Machinist Mate and later as a First Class Petty Officer Boatswain's Mate, my experiences ranged from small ships to large aircraft carriers. My service took me around the world, including Vietnam at the age of 19 and various tours in Europe, the Pacific, and the Middle East, supporting logistics during Desert Storm.