Every old oak has a story. What began as a simple exercise in creating a series of photographs of a subject that spoke to me has unexpectedly become a life’s work. Even what you might describe as "a calling." I was raised with oak trees. Climbed them, picnicked under them, loved them. When I began photographing in the early 80s, Louisiana's live oaks spoke to me and we developed a relationship. They are connected intimately to the cultures and people of the region where they grow. They are an icon representing strength, stability, and longevity.

Every old oak has a story to tell – a story of the place where they grow and the people and events that passed around them. Over four decades, my relationship with and observation of oak trees has led to the creation of six books, numerous magazine articles, exhibits, and multiple commissioned projects.

My images take the form of black-and-white film and infrared digital photographs printed on archival cotton-rag paper or canvas. Most recently they are hand-colored with oil paints – each a unique painted piece. My work is grounded in the belief that if an oak, or any tree, can be seen as a unique individual, and as a living thing with a history and personality, it becomes harder to minimize its significance and easier to recognize its value. In today’s world, this is a crucial step toward protecting an elder oak from thoughtless and senseless removal for the sake of development. Build around the tree please.