What are your sources of inspiration? I am inspired by all the arts—music, dance, theater, literature, and visual arts. I am most empowered by music—classical, rock, blues . . . you name it. Music goes deep in me—vibrations straight to the soul—and lifts me to another universe. The benefits are many, but I know that having music in my life makes me feel more intensely when I am connecting with a visual subject to make a photograph and provides the lyrical movement so necessary in a photograph. I know, too, that the arts make me more open to the stories to be uncovered every day—about the unending mysteries of humans and the surprises of our planet. What are you passionate about? I want the power of the arts to continue its worldwide reach. I want young people in all countries to be introduced to all genres of music and a range of artistic media and to understand that individual artistic expression should know no bounds. I teach photography to adults and children in the hope that creative expression will continue to be a part of people’s lives. I especially envy the uncensored, unselfconscious free spirits of children. We should all be so lucky. I was also a co-founder and director of the International Fine Art Photography competition to recognize emerging and mid-career photographers and share their outstanding work with the worldwide photographic community. |
"I traveled for many years, photographing exotic places and recording memorable moments with local people who taught me much about life."
"I want my photographs to take viewers where they’ve never been and at the same time make them feel a part of the story."