Woods was raised in a Californian family of photographers. His father had a portrait studio in Hollywood while his grandfather bought and released “Reefer Madness.” Woods excelled in his Major at Cal, Photo Ethnography in Anthropology, or elements of street photography. He also began lighting formally. He moved back to Los Angeles to work in the film industry, quickly rising to a Director of Photography. He has shot over 1000 commercials, 25 features, and other projects. When he retired he built a darkroom and continued working with his first love, large format black and white still photography.