When you began you did mostly nature photography...
Yes, nature is so available!  Since I live in the Adirondacks, that is where I began.  I became fascinated with water because it was always changing.  Still ponds, misty lakes, roaring falls, rain, ice ... water offers such variety from season to season, day to day, even minute to minute!  After a while I got bored (ah, that sounds so negative) with the Adirondack landscape and wanted to look at something besides trees, rocks and lakes.  When I have fresh eyes and new ideas, I will return to this natural environment and see if I have learned anything.

Now you are doing digital manipulations?
Another Republic of Tea rule is:  "Show that you are different". I think this is crucial to a start-up business.  If my work isn't unique in some way, how am I going to attract a following?  "Digital manipulations" are scorned and ridiculed by many in the photographic community.  But I think of myself as more of an artist than a photographer and I will do whatever I want to produce an image that pleases me.  No rules.  Instead of producing a final image with a camera, I am using my photographs to produce a final image.  It's not too complicated; I am taking two images and layering them with varying opacities.  I'm not cutting and pasting, or doing any compositing, just literally one photo on another in layers.  When you do this with most photos, nothing happens, it just looks like two photos put together.  Once in a while, the two images just seem to belong together and make a statement just not possible with one or the other.  Like a good relationship between two people!

Why are you an artist?  Do you think that art is important?
I think art needs to be made.  I think humans need art as much as they need music, although it seems that most people haven't caught on to this.  I read something recently about art and shoes.  How people collect shoes and have many different pairs and something to go with each mood and outfit.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if people could see art in the same light! Think about a work of art that you have been drawn to, that you couldn't stop looking at; something that "wowed" you.  Can you imagine how much it would improve the quality of your life if you had this piece in your home?  What about several pieces?

Future projects?
My third Republic of Tea business rule is "Imagine what's next", so I am always looking for ways to grow the business.  I now have studio space at 20 Washington Street in Ballston Spa. The main assets of the studio are three large windows giving me that ethereal, 'bathed in natural light' look that I want for portraits and product photography.  It will also be a venue for more conceptual work with models and props.  I am very excited about this new phase of my career. More information about the studio can be found on my website.