When Paul Boyer left his Ph.D. program in Italian and Renaissance Literature, in 1974, it was to pursue an interest in photography that could not be repressed. The desire to produce work that had relevance to a wide variety of people and business interests drove his decision to leave the academic world and enter the commercial world. Since that time, Boyer has engaged in a number of enterprises that address the need to produce relevant work, and he is best known for his portraits.

In addition to the commercial assignments he has completed, Boyer works on self-assigned projects to test new tools and techniques, as well as to satisfy his need for artistic expression. One of these projects, a study of 100 centenarians from around the United States and Canada, resulted in the 1990 publication of a book, One Hundred over 100, produced in conjunction with writer Jim Heynen.

Boyer's stock photography collection consists of industrial, travel, scenic, human interest, and sports images, covering the United States, Mexico, and Italy. The images in his collection tend to reflect man's interaction with nature, rather than showing nature or industry in isolation. All the same, he's a sucker for a beautiful landscape covered by a dramatic sky, and he'll try for any shot that calls his attention whether it fits his preconceptions or not.

Boyer teaches workshops ranging from general photography for beginners, to portrait photography for professionals. Since 1985, he has been a regular instructor in portraiture for the Port Townsend (Washington) Photography Workshops. He has taught in Talented and Gifted programs through public schools, and he has taught numerous week-long sessions through the Elderhostel Program. He sees teaching as an integral part of his work as a professional photographer. Boyer moved from the Pacific Northwest to Durango, Colorado, in 1999.

He works out of an office in downtown Durango, at 755 E. Second Avenue. His phone number is 970 385-6983, and his email address is pboyer@frontier.net

Back to Show