Even though I didn't get a business degree, I enjoyed learning about economics.

Generally, the French highly promote culture and the arts, and photography is in their blood.

What I particularly liked was that, coming from California and not being involved in the New York scene, I developed my personal way, in my own way, at my own pace.

Well, I liked it - that was the main thing. I liked it, but I didn't think of it in terms of a career. I didn't really know; I didn't really think about it. One thing just led to another until finally I quit my job as a salesman and found myself working as a photographer.

I was an economics major, which I enjoyed because I had a good business sense.

For me, the most important thing I learned was just honing my eye. I think I had a good eye.

I'd go down to the end of my street, to a garage that had a certain feeling about it, or a particular light; I'd take a picture of a friend who needed a head shot. That's how I learned, instead of having school assignments and learning camera techniques.