What turns you on creatively?
Bringing visibility to the plight of “at-risk” women and children around the world.

What turns you off creatively?
Head worms, dysentery, malaria, lost luggage, not necessarily in that order.

What’s your dream photo assignment?
To go back in time and accompany Alexandra David-Néel on her meanderings, photographing ancient Tibet and Asia.

If you could have dinner with an artist from any era, who would it be?
Johannes Vermeer. How does he create such delicious light?

What’s your favorite photograph not taken by you?
Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother,” taken during the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s.

What profession other than photographer would you like to attempt?
Writer. Sometimes you need words to paint a picture.

What’s your favorite camera feature?
I was a reluctant digital convert, and now I love the immediacy of my Nikon D2XS and being able to review my work every night while in some far-flung location of the world. For me, its durability is remarkable, even when facing extreme elements from Antarctica to Everest Base Camp to the Amazon. While photographing the Eagle Festival in a remote area of Mongolia, I was pummeled by a runaway horse. The three Nikons I had slung over my shoulder flew up in my face. Unfortunately, I needed a few stitches, but the cameras held up incredibly well. If you look closely, you can still see the word Nikon etched into my cheekbone.

What’s your favorite Nikon product, and how does it help you create better pictures or help you compete as a professional photographer?
I love working with natural light. The Nikon D2XS digital camera and fast Nikkor ƒ/1.4 lenses allow me to work in low light and create pictures that I’d never have been able to make before. And when there’s not enough luminosity, the SB-800 Speedlight is my preferred tool for creating a natural-looking image.