How long have you been taking photos?
Well, since I picked up my first SLR in college back in 1993. After I took my first photography class I was hooked. Now professionally I’ve been concentrating on that for the last 6 years.

What is your background? Are formally trained as a photographer, self taught, genetically passed down?
Well I took 2 classes in College. My first class, well, I sucked, but I learned how to develop film and all the basics of photography. I took about a year break before my next photo class during that time I took a lot of art classes where I learned about design, color, composition and started developing my own artistic identity. By the time my second photo class I had a better idea of what I wanted to take photos of and been shooting since, improving with each click of the shutter.

As a photographer what is your motivation, what are you trying to capture?
I try to capture a moment in time, a feeling and/or an interesting subject in such a manner that it creates an image that will cause some sort of reaction from who ever views it. I am greatly motivated the viewers reaction of my work, weather they like it or hate it, it is making that person think, and that is a powerful thing.

How do you set yourself apart from other photographers? What is your uniqueness?
As much as I believe that we are all different in some way. there are some photos out there that look the same even when taken by other photographers. I strive in my creativity and try to come up with an image that is unique at least to myself. And I am also very much a purist I keep my Photoshop to a minimum and try to take the image as is right from the beginning. There is a difference between a photograph and a digital image, both great but different.

Do you plan out shoots or do you improv once the model shows up? How subject driven is your work, does the concept come before the model or the other way around?
I usually have sketches of all my images before I take the photo it helps me visualize the final image. So I strive to get that image first but sometimes after I have my first idea I see something new that I can do and I start to improvise and some of my best work comes from that.

What do you feel digital has done to photography; diluted the market with sub-standard material or opened the doors of creativity to more people?
Well it defiantly has made easier for most anyone to get in to photography. it is good because it is giving opportunity to some of those who normally would not have had the chance to explore that creativity in them. Digital has made it easier and cheaper for people to get in to the field. As a professional it has allowed me to develop my ideas more rapidly and there is nothing like that instant gratification!

If not this what would you be doing with your life?
Probably working with kids and teenagers, either teaching or some kind of youth development program. I would use art as a way to give kids a creative outlet.

What have you learned about women from working with models? Keys to the mystery or more confused?
Don’t judge a book by its cover. I don’t think we are supposed to ever understand them though, that is what makes it fun.

What have you learned about yourself through photography, how does it play into your continued growth?
I have become very in touch with people. I don’t try to just take a photo of a beautiful person, although sometimes that is what the job requires of you, but I look for real emotion. As humans we find these things in other peoples eyes, hands and posture. You can tell the difference when someone is just fake smiling and someone is really smiling in a photo. As an artist I strive to share my views and cause a reaction.

Visit the site: Mondo Art Photography