My name is Paul Pacini. I am a photographer.

I am a native Montanan. I was born in Great Falls in 1947 and graduated from the University of Montana in 1969 with a Bachelor's Degree in General Science and Education. In 1972 I earned a Master's Degree in Biology. I worked for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks for thirteen years as a game warden and a park planner. From 1987 to 2004 I was employed as a teacher in various public school systems. I taught Special Education in both Oregon and the state of Washington. I began teaching eighth grade Physical Science in Helena, Montana in 1993. The last six years of my teaching career was spent at Capital High School in Helena, teaching Photography. Since my retirement in 2004, I have concentrated on my love of photography and my best friend , constant companion, trusted partner, and loving wife since 1988 --- Becky Piske.

Black and white, film based photography is my favorite medium although I use color prints, slides, and digital images for certain applications. I use both a 35mm camera and a medium format camera. I do my own darkroom work for all black and white applications. I like black and white photography because it forces the viewer to use his/her imagination to fill in the color. This makes every black and white image unique to the observer and probably more dramatic than standard color lab photo dyes.

Every photographer has a specialty, whether it is portraiture or family snapshots. My specialty is black and white documentary style fine art. I especially love to hand color the prints using oils, lithographic inks, and pencils. In my opinion, hand coloring lends a subtle and delicate quality to a photographic image. Even if the intent is to recreate the actual colors, the result is more often ethereal.

I enjoy combining fine art photography with any trip that I take. I have been seen with my 35 mm camera, or lugging my bulky medium format camera and a tripod, through mountain and desert wildernesses, over the beaches of the Bahamas, and even the streets of Venice. That is what makes the resulting image special to me, I was there. I hope that it will have a similar effect on anyone else who was there. When a photograph resonates with the viewer in this way, there are so many sights, sounds, smells, and emotions that go beyond the silver in the image.

I am available for photographic assignments. You may call me at (406) 443-7730 or send email to <ppacini@bresnan.net>.