The majority of the people I've taken photographs of, I've had conversations with. "What are your goals and aspirations?" "What are you about?" It's not just about me capturing the image; I want to know what you are about.

I think that's what the war photography did for me. It showed me the human side of people and how certain circumstances can change people's lives.

I remember growing up and hearing the word "ugly" a lot. "I'm ugly." "She ugly." "He ugly." I hated it then, and I hate it now. I go past physical beauty; I tell people they have a beautiful spirit and that is something different.

The photograph is to a great degree evidence of the conversation I had with the person. It's a part of my visual diary.

Sometimes we are just divided, but we still, for the most part, we have similar hopes and dreams.

I think that photography has allowed me to have a voice. I used to stutter, and once I overcame that struggle, it felt good to tell people they were beautiful and special.

For me, the stars are the invisible people on the street that people don't really get a chance to know.