My early photographic influences didn’t come from other photographers but from individuals who wouldn’t have recognized a camera if they were painting it. I remember being captivated by the color of El Greco’s paintings. He left me with a desire to create art that would influence generations for years to come. In my own photographer-esque way, I wanted to be like him. My modern day influence was Gordon Parks. He represented the perfect Renaissance Man. Gordon overcame his poor background and dealt with the racism of the 60’s & 70’s to become a prolific photographer at Life Magazine, an accomplished filmmaker, musician and writer. He moved from fact to fiction with brilliant ease and was a “cross-over” artist before that reference was really used.

It wasn’t until traveling to South East Asia, particularly Thailand, that I found my voice. There I discovered the generosity of the poor, the spirit of the oppressed, and peacefulness absent wealth and power. I found a society who continually moved with a smile on their face. Throughout the countryside, I photographed Buddhist monks that lived in the temples. It was quite easy to take photos of these saffron robed men since they neither yelled at you for taking their photograph nor could one really take a bad image of these extraordinarily tranquil and inviting individuals. They possessed a harmony that could disarm the most wary of travelers. They were simply being who they were. Their peaceful essence and innately beautiful presence brought me to one of my most basic understandings that I use for my photography today: everyone is beautiful and it is a matter of providing the individual the space to let that beauty come forth.