Your Questions Answered- Part 1
I receive many emails with questions from emerging photographers who want to know more about my work. I love these emails because they give me the chance to reflect & write about what I do- while hopefully helping someone else in the process. So, I’m starting a new category here on my blog called “questions answered”. Feel free to send your own. Here’s the first entry…..
What has been your favorite place or event to photograph?
That’s a tough one, because I’ve visited a lot of interesting places. But I might have to say that Timbuktu, in Mali, was one of my favorite destination assignments. Perhaps mostly because of the mystique of traveling to such a “remote” location. But also because it was my first visit to North/West Africa, and I definitely had the Africa bug. (Still do!) I also enjoy a good journey as much as the destination, and getting there was definitely an adventure for me.
Why did you become a photographer?
I became a photographer because it was what I had always dreamed of doing. Now I can’t imagine doing much else. I am someone who believes strongly in pursuing what you love. As a kid I was obsessed with documenting my experiences. And constantly shooting pictures of friends and family. But I was also inspired by my father’s National Geographic magazines, and the thought of traveling to remote corners of the world as a photographer became my dream. (Isn’t it everyone’s?) So when it finally came time to decide what I had to do for living, photography was IT. Exactly how IT was going to happen, I didn’t have a clue. As for the realities of how it actually came about for me on a professional level, that was a combination of much preparation + perfect timing. In other words, diligently perusing the type of photography that I was interested in & developing a portfolio from that, and then being in the right place at the right time when the right work opportunities presented themselves.
