The man you see today, didn't happen by accident. I am the product of a strong and devoted upbringing. As I have grown older I have realized the influence that people have had in my life amongst them are the three women above. Beginning with the far left my Aunt Lisa: She is the reason for my interest in everything that is creative and artsy. At very young age she instilled in me the importance of challenging and developing my mind. Instead of just trips to amusement parks and to the movies, Lisa would take me to plays, museums, art/jazz festivals, and my personal favorite Kaleidoscope, which was literally HEAVEN for any kid who loves arts and crafts. I attribute my passion for photography to Lisa, back in high school I needed to shadow someone at the job for a careers class I was in and she knew the perfect guy. He was the official food photographer for Applebee's and I had the opportunity to see how he developed the images that you find in the menus. Needless to say that is day I will never forget. Next is far Right My Aunt Mary Jo (Nannie). My Nannie is the reason I have an interest in everything of culture. She too at an early age challenged me to take an open minded look at the world around me. She had worked for a big airline for many years and because of it has seen much of the world. She always had stories about her time spent in Greece, or her camel travels in Egypt, or how beautiful the water was in the Caribbean. She would tell me about the music, the politics, the arts, and of course my favorite the food of every place she visited. My Nannie was the first to take out of the country as a graduating senior to Jamaica and it too was an experience that I will forever cherish. Lastly, closest to me is my Mother. She has been the embodiment of strength, love, discipline, and compassion to just about every person she comes in contact with. She is the reason for my humor, she is the reason for my smile, she is the reason for my caring heart, and she is the reason my future wife better be an amazing cook lol. My mom has always been there for me and my sister and together we have faced many storms but through it all she has always been there to encourage and to instill perseverance in each of us. Like any mother she has been my biggest supporter of all that I do but in the same breath my biggest source of discipline and respect. While she taught me to be nice and respectful to others she always raised me to be a strong and fearless child and to not take any mess from anybody. I'm super kind hearted though and til this day she always gets on to me for that. I thank each of them for everything they have done for me and I LOVE them with every ounce that is ME....