Would you believe that Michael Emhoff, one of our star photographers, used to be a high fashion lady’s shoe designer?  Before moving to California, Michael worked on the east coast in a job that took him all over the world as a shoe designer.  While he was working in the shoe worlds of Italy and later Taiwan, he was developing an interest in photography while taking pictures of shoes. 

But his enthusiasm didn’t really blossom until after retirement.  Then he started putting all of his energies into learning the art.  He took a few photo courses at Santa Monica College and later at COD, but had no other real formal training.  He considers himself basically self-taught.

When Mike moved to Sun City, he and Labe Leiter (another of our members) started the Sun City Camera Club.  Wanting to expand his horizons and hearing about Stuart’s computer skills, Mike joined the Coachella Valley Camera Club as well.  He participates enthusiastically in our competitions and those of S4C.  Though Mike is very modest about his artistic abilities, he is developing a reputation as a painter as well as a photographer.  He has sold several paintings to neighbors and has recently received a large commission for paintings for a Los Angeles law firm in which his son is a partner.