One of my all-time favorite photographers is Irving Penn. I wish I could have watched him work.

I wanted to travel from the beginning. As a kid, I used to dream about airplanes, before I ever flew in one.

The subject gives you the best idea of how to make a photograph. So I just wait for something to happen.

I was fascinated by my own prom pictures.

I want my photographs not only to be real but to portray the essence of my subjects also. In order to do that, you have to be patient.

I think you have to have a real point of view that's your own. You have to tell it your way. And, I think that it's a mistake to shoot for a specific magazine's point of view because it's never going to be as good. You have to shoot for yourself and photograph [ the way] you believe it.

I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing. After all, you are taking some of their soul.