Los Angeles native Rod Lyons began his photography career more than 30 years ago as a photographer for the U. S. Air force. Since that time he has done everything photographically from portraiture to photojournalism to fine-art. In 1978 Lyons graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a degree in journalism with an emphasis in photojournalism. Twenty years later he went back to the university to pursue a MFA with an emphasis on fine art photography. After working several years as a freelance photojournalist and serving a brief stint as a newspaper managing editor, Lyons struggled to find ways to make a living while following his passion of fine art photography. In 1993 he discovered a second calling--teaching photography. “Teaching has been a godsend for me, it put me in a position where I am expected to produce work and yet I am able to help young people start their photographic journey—the best of two worlds.” Lyons said.