My inspiration

Frank Niemier, a legendary newspaper photographer, took this photo of me in 1979 when I was 16. He sent me this digital copy yesterday.

I already have a printed copy in my scrapbook and the page that ran in the newspaper - it has been in there for 30 years!

I was a varsity tennis player for Royal High School in Simi Valley. This memory is worth a million dollars to me. It is one of those images that tells the story of the person. I can see the determination and focus in my eyes. Even all these years later, I can say those are two of my best qualities.

This photo is one of the reasons I like to photograph athletes and dancers. I can always look at this photo and remember who I want to be. It reminds me that I can do anything I set my mind to. I want the same feeling for the boys and girls I photograph today.