"In photography everything can be taught, except how to see." David Hume Kennerly

As a photojournalist, I admire many photographic masters who span the history of my profession. From Timothy O' Sullivan's stark photographs of the killing field at Gettysburg to Ted Jackson's portrait of an old black man sleeping under an American flag in New Orleans, I try to pay homage to these many photographic heroes each time I pick up the camera.

The landscapes of Ansel Adams amaze me to this day. Larry Burrows' photographic story in Yankee Papa 13 tells a haunting tale of loss between soldiers in Vietnam. His story and message are still effective today. David Hume Kennerly has been one of my favorite photographers. His photos span a lifetime of events and photographic themes. From his sports, to his portraitures, to the political humor and intrigue as well as the unsettling feel of his war photography, Kennerly has always spoken to me as a photographer.

My portfolio doesn't span the globe. In fact, the vast majority of my portfolio was taken in my home state of Mississippi. I have taken pictures for some publication since I first picked up a 35mm camera in 1977, my sophomore year in high school. Since then, I have documented the visual history of my hometown, state and country. In doing so, I have hopefully left something behind that helps explain the time we spent on this planet.

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"Photography can light-up darkness and expose ignorance." -Lewis Hine

"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still." -Dorothea Lange

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough." -Robert Capa