Vince is an inspired visual storyteller as well as a retired 22-year Army veteran. Born in Valparaiso, Indiana, Vince joined the United States Army at the young age of 18. Three years after his enlistment, he got inspired by the stories and supporting photographs in National Geographic and purchased his first 35mm film camera to document and support his own adventures in the military. The Army allowed him to travel, explore, and experience many cultures within not only the United States, but also Iraq, Kuwait, South Korea, Poland, and short stops in Germany and Japan.

After 10 years of self-study in photography, Vince decided to take things in a more serious direction and study art at formal institutes and academies. He started by attending a 270-hour advanced photography course at the New York Institute of Photography and earned a Certificate of Graduation in 2013. One year later, he earned his Associate of Science in Digital Photography at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh (Ai) – Online Division, where he graduated in 2017. After a little break, in late 2019, Vince progressed with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Photography at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and graduated in 2021. Thinking SNHU was his last stop, he attended the Academy of Art University where he earned a Master of Arts; but as an inspired future educator, he decided to continue his education and work towards the terminal degree of Master of Fine Arts in Photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design, which should be completed in 2026.  

Vince volunteered as a documentary photographer for more than seven Army units between 2013 to 2022. Visually documented intense training events in field environments, Family Readiness Group (FRG) events, military ceremonies and graduations, physical fitness events, surrounding cultures in foreign countries, and much more.

Vince loves the challenges and beauty of all styles and genres within the medium of photography. Even though his inspiration initially came from documentary, he also studies fine art, portraiture, self-portraiture, conceptual, landscapes, architecture, and more. Due to this broad array of categories within his portfolio, that lead him down the educator path where he wants to help other inspired photographic artists learn their passion.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

EDUCATION

10/2023 - Present | Master of Fine Arts in Photography; Savannah College of Art and Design | GPA 4.0

06/2021 - 05/2023 | Master of Arts in Photography; Academy of Art University | GPA 3.7

11/2019 - 05/2021 | Bachelor of Arts in Photography; Southern New Hampshire University | GPA 4.0

01/2014 - 03/2017 | Associate of Science in Photography; Art Institute of Pittsburgh | GPA 3.98

CERTIFICATION

2017 | The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Certificate of Recognition; Best in Show Portfolio - Digital Photography, Winter Quarter

2011 | Certificate of Graduation; The Complete Course in Professional Photography | New York Institute of Photography

ACADEMIC HONORS AND AWARDS

04/2022 | Southern New Hampshire University Distinguished Scholar Award for Highest GPA in Degree Program

05/2021 | Southern New Hampshire University President’s List

09/2020 | Southern New Hampshire University President’s List

01/2017 | The Art Institute of Pittsburgh President’s List

10/2016 | The Art Institute of Pittsburgh President’s List

10/2016 | The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Dean’s List

AFFILIATIONS

12/2020 | Alpha Sigma Lambda Online Honor Society (Associated with Southern New Hampshire University)

08/2020 | The National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi (Associated with Southern New Hampshire University)

10/2018 | Kappa Pi Eta Sigma Chapter Honor Society (Associated with Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division)

EXHIBITION RECORD

02/2024 | Life After 22 Years (Solo Exhibition) | George Strimbu Gallery of Photography | Valparaiso, University | Valparaiso, Indiana

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dilbeck, Carolyn. “Headline: New VUCA photo display centers around change.” Valpo Torch. February 23, 2024. https://www.valpotorch.com/news/article_c8811368-d21d-11ee-b74a-c71f142d497e.html

VISITING ARTIST LECTURES

02/2024 | Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana (exhibition discussion and classroom critiques)

PUBLICATIONS

12/2013 | Chef Joe Randall Official Website