For me, photography has always been about creating art. I’m not just talking about a pretty picture, although there is merit in that too, but an image that says something. I use the medium of light to create a mood and showcase faces and elements that symbolize both struggles and triumphs. What I love about photography is that it is something everyone can appreciate. You don’t need to speak a certain language or have a certain amount of money to gain an understanding from a well-framed photograph. It is a democratic medium; open to all viewers and all interpretations.

​

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to experience many walks of life in the pursuit of visual excellence. Irish travellers, English boxers, South African villagers, and now Albanian Kosovar war refugees. I treat my subjects with a respect that is akin to reverence. They have given me a gift by letting me into their lives. In return for their trust and vulnerability, I document the truth.

​

Perhaps certain angles or situations could me made more exciting by including or excluding elements. Perhaps focusing on the extremes of an individual would be more visually stimulating. But I am not doing this job to perpetuate stereotypes. I am a photographer because to me, the truth means something. And oftentimes, it is more fascinating than the most wild works of fiction. However, these days it has become increasingly difficult to do the right thing.

​

Real isn’t what sells- it is the fantasies of perfection and alternatively, tragedy that move papers from the stands. The news industry is circling the drain.  Photographers, more than anyone else, are feeling the effects of the devaluation of the still image. The economy says our photographs are worth next to nothing. Instagram, iPhones, and the influx of amateur photographers have all contributed to an image overload. The market is flooded, and visual journalists are drowning. How are we expected to keep our heads above water and stay true to ourselves at the same time? It is a seemingly impossible task, but one that I have chosen to undertake. This book is evidence of that.