President Barack Obama

These pictures were taken when then Candidate Obama visited Santa Barbara City College

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

I learned so much from this encounter. The story is amazingly convoluted and I can throw in uncanny. However here are some umpublished images I shot of His Holiness.

Who inspires you the most?

Sri Chinmoy Kumar Ghose

Of all the people in the world, I have been inspired most by this incarnation of light and service. From him I began an inner journey that brings me day by day more peace, more satisfaction and more fulfillment. He will ever have my eternal gratitude.

Welcome to my world

In this alcove of cyberspace I am working to furnish this neighborhood with beauty, joy, light, delight, truth and many more wonderful colors of human expression
.
For many years I have been encountering and documenting people of achievement from around the world. My fascination, camera and curiosity have had me treading on distant soil and be in the same space with many of the world's most significant people.

In this blog I am turning the spotlight on, for the first time some of the shining stars I have been blessed to photograph. My intention is and always has been to offer to you and the world at large the inspiration I have so abundantly been blessed to receive. I have sought out those amongst us who have inspired me. I've documented the experience with camera, pen and keyboard. Within this space you will see and read the results of these encounters. My hope is to inspire you onward to achieve ever more in your life.

I am in the process of writing about the encounters I have had with these enchanting, intriguing and world-life transforming individuals. I will announce where the writing will appear in future posts. My sincere hope is that these moments you spend here will ignite your willingness to go farther up in life or to dive deeper into who or what inspires you the most.

Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin

John And Carlos are spiritual brothers of mine. John allowed me to shoot the pictures for his first album My goal is Beyond, originaly for Douglas records. This was my first album cover.

Scientists, Writers, Entertainers, Artists and more.

I've sought out those among us that inspire, motivate and transform our world.

4 Olympics and Olympian Athletes

I've had some of my most inspiring moments at the Olympic Games; Montreal, Seoul, Barcelona and Beijing. Carl Lewis, Wilma Rudolph, Flo Jo, and the incomparable and historic Jessie Owens who I had a chance to spend the day with are just a few of the great stories I will publish.

Mark Victor Hansen and family

"Hugh your pictures are a blessing from God"

Mark Victor Hansen 1999

Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

President Bill Clinton in Harlem and friend

I have photographed President Clinton twice. These were taken when he was welcomed to Harlem where he has an office. I will write about how I met Monica Lewinsky shortly thereafter.

Muhammad Ali two shoots

I had the honor to spend several hours on two occassions with Ali. I will be publishing the stories latter on this blog and on Inspiration Paradise.

Some of the beautiful children I've photographed

God blessed me with eyes that see beauty