Every now and then someone hires me to do what I am best at. I can shoot a lot of styles and situations and I like the challenge they bring.

But what I love the most to shoot is black and white like the photographers who have inspired me: Richard Avedon, Cartier-Bresson and Irving Penn. [to see the work of these great photographers; click on their names] I think black and white gets to the soul of the person so much faster than color.

It's the work of these photographers that I try to keep alive in my own. So, thanks Lisa for asking me to photograph your senior portrait in black and white, a lá Avedon.

Well we're on the downhill side of photographing seniors for the class of '09. There's a few more to come in October but most of the kids have been in. But that leaves a lot of great time slots still open for the autumn colors. We've had so much fun with the seniors again this year by generating more creative backgrounds and doing even more artful stuff in photoshop to help each senior get their "unique" look. I think it's so much fun to spend some one on one time with them and pick their brains. They are truly a fun group.

We even got our daughter Mila into the mix this year. She was my assistant on most of the sessions. Of course that is backed off a bit since school started. I learned from her and she learned from me. We had a great time working together. I am so lucky to have such a great kid. Mila continues to grow into a terrific young woman. She is witty, kind, generous, sweet and caring. We're so lucky to know her.