I make tree portraits. Most people understand the idea of making human portraits. They grasp how a well-made portrait can reveal something unique or insightful about the human subject and his or her inner and outer life. Many great photographers have done remarkable work in this genre.

I believe that if an oak, or any tree, can be seen as a unique and individual thing—as a living being with a personality and history—then it becomes harder to overlook its importance, or minimize its significance. A strong portrait can make it easier to realize a tree's beauty and importance—to its location, its environment, and to local culture and history of the place where it lives and grows. 

In today’s world, the realization of a tree’s cultural, historic, social, and economic value is a crucial step toward protecting it from thoughtless and needless damage or removal. The planet needs its trees, and especially its old trees, more than ever. Yet, we are losing our live oak trees and especially the old, historic and significant trees at an alarming rate. The reasons? Unchecked development, lack of legal protection, depleted air, soil, and water, violent storms, and changing climate. 

My goal with Louisiana’s oaks is to photograph and document as many as I can in the time I’m allowed and to help create an appreciation of these centuries-old icons of the Southern landscape. As a result of this journey, I’ve also become interested in the preservation and conservation of historic and significant trees. historic and sacred landscapes across the country as well as preservation of historic and significant sacred places.