"When I am shooting photos of musicians and instruments, it's the dynamic sense of drumming and rhythm combined with my knowledge of song forms that help me find the right shot at the right time," explains Haines.  "Then I evolve each digital image according to the energy and feelings I have in the moment -- just the way I develop a drum solo in playing jazz.  My goal is to deliver the essence and intensity of a live musical performance in visual terms."

     When he was already an accomplished percussionist, Haines studied photography at Memphis State University in Tennessee.  He built a dark room specifically to create one-of-a-kind photos of musicians he admired.  By the time he returned to this passion after raising a family and 20 years as an equipment engineer in the semiconductor industry, the digital age of photography was in full swing.  Combining his technical skills with his musical talent and drive, Haines went digital with the muse.

     A previous resident of Santa Fe, Haines returned in 2007 to continue his drumming and photography careers.  His work is in private collections in California as well as on exhibit at Tizzy Lish in Sparks, Nevada, and Portland Alterations in Portland, Oregon.  Haines has designed a cover for a book about traveling around the world with Elvis Presley, which will be printed later this year.  He has also displayed his work at the Loretto Chapel Artisan Corner and the Los Alamos Spring Art Show.  Haines' original vision even sparked an innovative use of an image that will appear on the face of a custom guitar.

     As a drummer, Haines has performed in New Mexico with Emily Remier, Bobby Shew, Dee Kelly, Richie Cole, the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra, Real Time Quartet, and in concerts sponsored by the New Mexico Jazz Workshop and the Outpost Performance Space.  He has also played with the New Mexico Symphony, the Santa Fe Symphony, and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale.

     As a young man, Haines was drafted and later toured the southwestern United States with a USO show.  He won a music scholarship to attend Memphis State University, where he played a concert under the direction of Aaron Copland. 

     Haines worked in Memphis for musical contractor Ernie Bernhart and performed with such diverse acts as Diahann Carroll, Rich Little, Bob Hope, Charlie Rich, Ray McKinley and the Modernaires, Al Greene, Danny Thomas and the St. Jude's Telethon, Clark Terry, Marvin Stamm, Yul Brynner in "The King and I," and the Memphis Symphony.  He also performed at the Opryland theme park and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.  While living in Orange County, California, Haines played in local clubs and performed with Llew Mathews, Teddy Edwards, Max Bennett, and Jim Gordon.