This peaceful and romantic image of a camel train crossing the desert contrasts with the area surrounding the town of Timbuktu , referred to by local residents as The Belt of Misery. Many of these people live on less than fifty cents a day. This is a hard life in a barren environment. Photographing the beauty of the sunset, camels and sand dunes is easy. The images you will not normally see — the suffering, desolation and hunger — are the ones that haunt my memory. I have always tried to use my photography to provide a glimpse into these challenging aspects of human existence. Images can reflect life in a far off place providing certain insights into cultures, traditions or sometimes just everyday life. Not every image would find its way to a wall, but limiting photography to art fails to take into account the journey along the way.

I have had the privilege of traveling to almost eighty countries. In those travels, I have met hundreds of people who were generous enough to share part of their lives with me. Sometimes an encounter may be for a few seconds; other times it might involve a visit to someone's home with an invitation for an impromptu meal. The one common denominator I have found to be true in every country I have visited is that people offer more than they can afford, and accept strangers with open hearts and open minds.

Photography has exposed me to a new understanding of cultures, traditions, and humanitarian needs; while highlighting the challenges we face with foreign policy, agriculture, and conservation. No single trip or subject can be considered my favorite. I still enjoy the excitement and intensity of following a cheetah across the Serengeti Plains with anticipation of seeing the fastest animal on earth pursue its prey. However, there is no greater satisfaction than bringing home images of the human condition, with the goal of leading to a better education of the world's needs and ultimately directing more resources toward resolving these pressing human issues.

From a conservation standpoint, you cannot achieve sustainable land use, preserve ecosystems or provide adequate habitat for animals if people competing for the same resources are not given viable alternatives. Photography is a way to show what is at risk if we do not take these challenges seriously. For those of us who have been fortunate enough to live in the wealthiest country on earth, it isn't enough to sympathize with these challenges; we must provide solutions.

I recently decided to no longer offer individual images for sale. There were a number of factors which went into this decision. The largest was that I have decided to devote more time to our foundation which requires a very focused approach. However, through the books available on this website, I hope you will appreciate the diversity of life. Over the years, for me, photography has become more than an art form; it is a way to see the world, to experience nature in all of its forms, to learn about other people and to develop friendships in many countries. It is a privilege to be able to share some of these experiences through the images in these books.