With 2 years experience studying alongside world renowned underwater film maker Wes Skiles instilled him with a heightened passion to document his expeditions. Rusty integrated his intensive scuba diving training with video equipment logistics applying these to the underwater arena, pushing the limits where no cameras have been before. In 1994, he launched his first film, “Reefs in Motion” an underwater video guide offshore Sanibel and Captiva islands.  This spawned a series of films revealing the shipwrecks and reef system in the waters of Southwest Florida.  

    His diversified experience of the underworld launched several contracts with local television and news networks. Rusty discovered and released never before seen footage of a bridge in disrepair, expediting the demolition and replacement of the entire structure. Florida Congressman Porter Goss praised Rusty’s diligent abilities for the discovery, possibly saving many lives in the process.

    Rusty is a founding member of the archeological team which discovered sacrificial human remains in underwater caves in the jungles of Yucatan Mexico. Dating back 4,000 years, these discoveries initiated a National Geographic film about the expedition and was released in N.G. Magazine October 2003 and aired on the national networks.

     Alongside the Amphibico Corporation and the Sony Corporation, his team housed the very first Sony high definition underwater camera outfit while shooting humpback whales in The Dominic Republic.

    Rusty was chief videographer for The Gulf of Mexico Underwater Explorers, the underwater team that discovered 2 deep caves offshore Florida’s west coast revealing fresh water aquifers beneath the floor in the Gulf of Mexico?

      As staff photographer, Rusty has both discovered and filmed numerous shipwrecks in Lake Superior, Puget Sound, Cuba and the Atlantic Ocean, assisting in the cartography and storytelling for the award winning  publication Advanced Diver Magazine.

 Rusty was team member and videographer for cartography of  The Warm Mineral Springs exploration project in Sarasota Florida discovering animal and human artifacts dating 2,000 years. Directed by world renowned cave explorer Curt Bowen, these dives involved deep cave penetration and long decompression requirements at night.

  In 2005, teamed with MOTE Marine Laboratory, NOAA and the Hart Institute, he filmed for the Pulley Ridge Coral reef expedition project. Working hand in hand with Dr. Sylvia Earle, explorer in residence for National Geographic, Rusty provided underwater footage of marine coral alongside Dr. Earl’s submarine activities almost 300 feet deep while experiencing extremely high current conditions.

    Rusty is certified deep cave, gas blending, nitrox, helium, closed circuit re-breather and side mount cave exploration, and is capable of handling his camera in all conditions.  Rusty is often asked as keynote speaker for local Audubon, National Wildlife Refuge, and many community outreach organizations. His knowledge of local underwater resources and archival footage are proven tools to assist those involved with environmental issues.

  Rusty’s new point of view, aerial footage for local PBS affiliates and news stations flying in helicopters and powered Para gliders.  This overhead yet low altitude camera angle has afforded him the personal exclusiveness demanded in today’s market.

 His most recent business creation, Video Biography LLC, documents the video history of influential philanthropists living and working in South West Florida. His client list includes a “who’s who” in the local community.

  Rusty lives on Sanibel, Florida with his wife Patti and their 8 year old son Zachary.