Born to Ukrainian parents in Austria in 1948, Lu Szumskyj emigrated with his family to the United Sates just after his first birthday. Lu grew up in Philadelphia, Pa., and spent many summers in the Catskill Mountains of New York State, at a Ukrainian Boy Scout Camp. Spending two months in the mountains every year taught him survival skills and gave him a great appreciation for the beauty of nature, which he carries with him to this day.

While serving in the US Army, Lu became interested in photography, and after his discharge began a career as a professional photographer. Four and a half years later, suffering from eye strain and from overexposure to photographic chemicals, he decided to leave the darkroom and began working as a landscaper. He soon landed a position with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, working with their fledgling program, Philadelphia Green, which is now the most successful community gardening program in the country.

He loved this work, but financial reasons compelled him to look for a more lucrative job. He began working in construction and eventually formed his own company, doing high end restorations and renovations - work that took him all over the country. Being self-employed allowed Lu to schedule long hours in the spring, summer and fall, which then made it possible to spend the winters in the tropics.

In 1995, Lu met his partner Michelle Murphy - also an artist - and together they have traveled to different tropical paradises in Mexico and the Caribbean, where Lu was inspired to start taking pictures again.

Now retired from contracting, he is pursuing a career in fine art photography.