Quote:

“Change drives success. From opening an Art Gallery in the River North District to the change to digital technology, we continually look for new ways to work creatively.”

Interview Me:

What did you think the first time you picked up a camera?

“What would this look like smashed to pieces on the floor. I grew up in this business, with parents in the business. I was probably under two when I first held a camera. I’d guess I filled it with Gerbers Mashed Carrots.”

You grew up in the business?

“Our company was started by my mother during WWII. After the war, my father joined her but she (Betty Stuart) kept top billing.”

Did you study photography?

“I studied Architecture at Berkeley. Knew photography in my bones, and you can see where I ended up.”

Berkeley? How could you leave California?

“California was great, everyone was your best friend. Everyone moved on. No one was from there. My home and roots are here. My family is here. I love the commitment energy and permanence here.”

Who is your favorite photographer?

“I get inspired by lots of photographers but look forward each month to seeing Annie Leibowitz’s work in Vanity Fair. She is amazing at combining classic composition and lighting with personality, personality, personality. “

Personality?

“In the end all lighting is similar, all compositions are all contained in a square or rectangle box, backgrounds come and go, so what’s in the eyes of the subject is what really matters. Learning the rules of how to compose the shots is easy. Getting who someone is to show up in the image is the trick.”

So learning the rules of composition is easy?

“There are about five of them. They are repeated in every ad you see; every painting at the museum; every scene in every movie; every poster. Same rules, over and over. If I get distracted by them when I’m watching a movie I drive myself crazy.”

Who was the most fun to photograph?

“I was photographing Princess Di for her visit here years ago and Tony Bennett was performing. I took a quick photo of him but more than that got to shake hands with a real pro. A guy who lives by a handshake, does what is agreed, hasn’t let fame get to him, lives his art, and gave his performance fee to charity. Photographing the Dahli Lama was amazing too but he was so peaceful he made me nervous.”