About Al’s Daughters – Vicki & Jen

Jen and I came into the world on the same day four years apart, both of us 5 days late. Our Mom thought it was so rare that she contacted the Guinness Book of World Records. But it turns out to get into the book, she would have had to be born on our birthday, along with her mom, down the line. So, Jen and I found other ways to stand out.

I’ve been a writer since I was in elementary school. I remember winning a best story contest in 3rd grade and having dreams of writing books for a living. However, that plan changed when I learned about journalism. It really piqued my interest because I loved current events and learning about new things. I went on to study broadcasting at Grand Valley State in Michigan and got my master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. My TV news career took me all around the Midwest as a newswriter, producer and executive producer – all mostly morning news programs. During that time, I met my husband Kevin, had two children, Jules and Calder, and roped Dad into being part of some of my broadcasts. He was always such a ham, looking for a laugh.

In between news gigs, I did co-author a book about political scandals of the new millennium – Lyin’, Cheatin’ Bastards. And now I’m ghostwriting a book for a Chicago TV personality. But the biggest honor of my career has been writing about our dad for this website, telling stories about his amazing life as a nature photographer and sharing our memories of his passion for pictures.

That passion was passed on to Jen as she watched Dad’s every move behind a camera, learning and growing in her own love of photography. While Dad was mostly self-taught, Jen pursued a degree to be sure she had the foundations and skills to excel. And excel she did, with all types of photography – portraits, weddings, landscapes, nature. She soon had a gorgeous style all her own that she has honed over the years. She and Dad took trips all over the Midwest together, shooting images of eagles, Sandhill Cranes, wildflowers, orchids, waterfalls, and airplanes. They rode in tundra buggies in Churchill, Manitoba to photograph polar bears, and drove high into the mountains in Glacier National Park, looking for grizzlies.

She and Dad had a language all their own when it came to photography – they were like two peas in a pod. And it paid off, as Dad’s dementia worsened over the last couple of years. She was able to understand what he wanted to do and help make it happen. She joined his camera clubs so he could still attend and now is even a vice president of one! She has curated the photos on the site, patiently going through just a few hundred to get us started. There are still thousands, including slides that we’re just now getting transferred. Who knows what surprises we’ll find? We hope you’ll join us in this amazing adventure.