From the Engine Room to the Finish Line

I’ve spent my life between the engine room and the water. As a Navy veteran, a mechanic, and a catamaran racer, I’m a "geeky" guy who has always found beauty in how things work. But I found my true creative spark in a place I didn't expect: the awards banquet.

After years of racing small cats, I’ve sat through a lot of ceremonies. I’ve seen hundreds of generic, mass-produced plastic trophies handed out—most of which ended up in a box in the attic. But the ones that stuck with me were the originals: a shark’s jaw on a plaque, a hand-carved Hobie hull, a piece of wood that actually felt like it belonged on the water.

"I realized that an achievement is only as memorable as the object that marks it."

High-Tech Tools, One-of-a-Kind Soul

I started Photon & Chisel to kill the "boring award" once and for all. I’ve traded the engine room for a shop packed with CO2, UV, Fiber, and diode lasers. These tools allow me to bring a level of precision to wood and glass that honors the hard work of the person receiving it.

My signature pieces are 3D layered maps of the Chesapeake Bay and our local racing courses. These aren't just decorations; they are the literal terrain where we race, struggle, and win.

The "One-of-a-Kind" Guarantee

I don't do "stock." I source premium, one-of-a-kind wood blanks so that the grain under the engraving is as unique as the victory itself. When you hold a piece from my shop, you’re holding a blend of modern "photon" technology and the "chisel" of a craftsman’s eye.

Whether it's a gift for a friend or an award for a champion, I make sure it’s something people are actually amazed to receive—not just because they won, but because they earned a piece of work that matters.