關於 could you please advise on this matter ，我們在網路上蒐集到這些相關的討論、資訊與評價

Enjoying Favor with God and Man

“When he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching him. Behold, a certain man who had dropsy was in front of him. Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” But they were silent. He took him, and healed him, and let him go. He answered them, “Which of you, if your son or an ox fell into a well, wouldn’t immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?” They couldn’t answer him regarding these things. He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, “When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him, and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭14:1-11‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Have you ever had dinner at the same table with a renowned world leader? Perhaps you’ll make sure to dress your best, put on your best mannerisms, show your best side and all these efforts are just to please men to gain their favor for an ulterior motive, or because you’re afraid of what they would think if you don’t behave as expected.

It’s just like our Lord Jesus to attend a party held by a so-called important person and turn it upside down!

Amidst all the bootlickers who wanted to curry favor with the ruler of the Pharisees, Jesus didn’t care about anyone’s prejudices.
He set His sights on someone He could heal—Jesus was going to do it whether the pretentious religious leaders felt comfortable about it or not.

Jesus didn’t come to play politics or to be liked by the masses. He came to save us to the uttermost, regardless of what has to be done.

If Jesus had a PR manager, that person would greatly advise against healing someone on the Sabbath, in the house of the ruler of the Pharisees. That’s like choosing to offend everyone at once—a major PR disaster.

None of the guests dared to answer Jesus—they were all ensnared by the fear of man’s opinions.

“The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe. Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh.” ‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭29:25-26‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Oftentimes, we are also afraid of being judged by others and worried what others would think of us.

However when it comes to doing the right thing in God’s eyes, versus pleasing men who don’t care about you that much anyway, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to empower us to do what’s right, even when it’s not the popular choice.

Just because everyone else is compromising, doesn’t mean you have to do it too just to fit in.

Let’s use a rather sensitive example: Premarital sex. If you’re still a virgin and you’re intending to stay that way until after marriage, good for you!

You don’t have to be sleeping around like people of the world, just because the ‘cool’ ones are doing it—they have no self-control and are ignorant about the harm they are inflicting upon their own bodies (forming unwanted connections in the flesh).

“Don’t you know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” ‭‭(1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:15-18‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Perhaps you are like the man with dropsy, who couldn’t even join in the pretentious game with the other religious leaders.
Even if he could gain the favor of the ruler of the Pharisees, what could he possibly do for him?
That mortal ruler didn’t have the power to rid him of the swelling in his body.

The man’s swollen body must have caused him to be embarrassed and ashamed. No matter how hard he tried to fit in and act like the rest, he would always stick out like a sore thumb.

Maybe you’re a straightforward person who can’t stand to think before you talk or be tactful when you speak or act—you just don’t fit in.
Or it could be that you’re a non-conformist who can’t bring yourself to follow the crowd and it’s trends—and for that, nobody wants to be associated with you.

Well, Jesus healed that man with dropsy. If anyone was happy at that awkward party, it was the man who received his healing!
You don’t even have to read any books about the 10 steps to make people like you.
Just like how Jesus took the man and initiated the healing miracle, He will also take you and transform you without your own efforts.
The man with dropsy thought he was going for a party to try and gain favor from the ruler, when actually the true Ruler of Heaven and earth chose to favor him.
It’s by God’s goodness, not your obedience—just believe that.

Jesus pulled the religious masks off the religious leaders’ faces when He asked the question about the son and the ox falling into the well.
If it was the ruler of the Pharisee’s son that fell in a well, do you really think he would care that it was a Sabbath day?
He would ask his servants to get his son out of the well immediately.

Religiosity is hypocrisy. It has the outward appearance of holiness but the moment something is against his fleshly interests, the religious person compromises on the laws he demands others to follow.

Jesus proceeded to give wise advice. Instead of trying to please men and gain their favor with your self-efforts, rely on God to give you favor with them.

The moment you cease from trying to be liked, fit in or become popular and just rest in God’s favor that’s always upon you, God can give you uncommon favor with the right person who can turn the whole situation around for your good.

That’s one of the ironies of life. The harder you try to be liked, the more dislikable you are to others.
But when you don’t try at all and just humbly rely on God’s favor, He will exalt you in the sight of all.

In other words, don’t focus on moving up to a higher place—you’ll end up thinking too much about it and trying hard to reach it by your own efforts.

Set your eyes on Jesus who is seated far above all kingdoms and dominions, and He will give you the wisdom, power and favor to unconsciously move up higher while you’re still transfixed by His perfect majesty!

Today’s Spiritual Exercise:
Need someone to favor you? Confess that you have favor with him or her because God is on your side to give you favor with all men. You don’t have to earn it—just receive it by faith.

Become a patron and receive our new special Christmas series “37 Miracles of Jesus”, as well as other attractive rewards in return for your support: http://Patreon.com/miltongohblog

In this series, you’ll:

- Receive bold faith for miracles—stepping out from a powerless form of Christianity, into the kind that God intended!

- Understand the significance of the miracles of Jesus Christ—and why the Holy Spirit chose to feature them in the four gospels even though Jesus worked countless other miracles.

- Receive a powerful, uplifting message about Jesus and His power and goodness every day that refreshes your soul and prepares you to have a worshipful, meaningful Christmas.

#37MiraclesofJesus #BibleStudy

【玳瑚師父客人見證】《玄學。我的改變》
MY TRANSFORMATION WITH CHINESE METAPHYSICS
(English version below)

文 / 林恩宇 女士 Written by: Mdm Lim En Yu

常常會聽到有關風水玄學這東西，我對它們是一竅不通的，但心裡有半覺得這是種迷信的玩意，而且會覺得有必要相信一個你不認識的人，相信他們說你的命運會怎樣怎樣嗎？那可信度到底有多高？預先知道那麼多又應該怎樣呢？

一兩年前，自己遇到諸多不順心的事， 心情甚糟，迷失了自己，迷失了方向，生活過得一塌糊塗。偶然發現身邊的人蠻多都會做這類看家居風水、改名字、 看八字、流年運程的事情。心想生活既然糟透了，試一試也無妨。可我又很在意這準確性，真的不想隨便找個不知曉的師父。結果就在機緣巧合下，通過我姐的介紹，我有幸認識了玳瑚師父。

第一次正式接觸玄學是玳瑚師父爲我看八字的時候。我真的很震撼玳瑚師父能精准的說了無數有關我過去和現在生活的事情。比如說我會有婦女病，我有耳鳴，兩者都對了，因爲在遇見師父之前我做了身體檢查，發現子宮里有個瘤，然後耳朵也比較不靈敏。生活上僅僅的一些小習慣動態，比如我在Starbucks只會買綠茶，而不是咖啡，然後我偏愛吃辣和麵條，竟然也被發現了，當下給了師父一個掌聲鼓勵，瞬間覺得好厲害啊～！不論大小事情，說得簡直就像看透了你的人格，你的思緒，你的動向，讓你無所隱形，真的佩服師父的功力, 讓我深信玄學這奧妙的東西是真的。

另外師父也解說了，預先知道日後的事其實不必擔憂, 只要你跟隨命里的五行元素，用神，把它活化在生活當中，再正面迎對，它真的可以改變，你就可以少走許多冤枉路，從而光明在前，變得更好。於是我開始跟隨我的五行吃有利於自己的食物，穿屬於我的裝扮，瞭解自己好的一面，提點自己把壞的思緒，壞的個性改掉。生活經過師父的指引讓我突然驚醒，慢慢的走出了一個方向。

再來就是改名字。曾經有想過在我女兒出生時，找個師父爲她取個好名，可最終就只隨自己喜歡的字做爲女兒的名字，其實我心裡一直耿耿於懷。在遇到玳瑚師父爲我算八字的時候，師父也稍微從我和我女兒的名字中說出了一些準確的事，比如我的女兒在某歲之間會入院。事實是在師父說這的前幾個月她是真的生病入院了。

其實經過算八字，我對玳瑚師父在玄學這方面有精密深研的知識已是深信不疑的，所以很自然的讓玳瑚師父爲我母女取個符合我們八字的好名，然後跟著師父的指示換名，再把新名字運用在生活上。慢慢的從我女兒身上發現了很大的改變。像以前每次有人叫她時，她總不會回應, 我常會覺得那名字不符合她。新名字就真的點到她了，叫她時她就會回神看你，懂得回答，而且她還會把名字掛在嘴邊，朗朗上口，從不回應到開始說話唱歌都很多，會交流了。至於我自己，我隱隱約約覺得新名字正在糾正和改變著我的心情心態。心裡上有某種平靜的釋放，人變得比較放寬心，從而外在的整體氣色也變得比較有神。八字的運用和名字的改變，身邊的人感覺到我更有氣息，更有光澤和魅力了。

除了玄學風水，玳瑚師父也精通佛學。認識師父後多多少少也對佛學有了一點認識。很慶幸自己買到了師父出版的書 -《向善向上》，這是一本很值得擁有的書，讓我有機會接觸佛學的教誨。很感謝師父會經常在臉書發一些文章讓我們有機會閱讀，從而啓發提點自己必須多多益善。感謝師父的無私大愛，以佛法和玄學替人排解擔憂，讓我有幸成為收益者之一。也很感謝師父在我生活遇到忐忑不安的時候，願意接聽我的電話，給我一些指導。希望有緣人能向我一樣，遇見玳瑚師父。也希望和祝福師父能在佛學和玄學方面，更上一層樓，心想事成。阿彌陀佛。

[附上一张我与女儿的近照。女儿很喜欢写自己的名字呢。]

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I often hear of Feng Shui and Chinese Metaphysics, and due to my lack of knowledge in these subject matters, half of my heart dismisses it as superstition. Furthermore, I wonder if it is necessary to believe a complete stranger, who tells me how my fate will pan out. How much of it should we believe? What should we do even if we know so much in advance?

A couple of years ago, I encountered many obstacles in life and that seriously affected my emotions. I lost myself in the process and my life became a mess. It was by chance that I found out that many people around me had done home Feng Shui audits, change of their names, Bazi analysis, annual Luck Cycle analysis, etc. I thought since I had hit the lowest point in my life, there was no harm in giving it a try. But I was hesitant because I was particular about the accuracy of such readings, and did not want to look for any random practitioner unknown to me. A stroke of luck had me meeting Master Dai Hu through the recommendation of my sister.

My first actual experience with Chinese Metaphysics came in the Bazi Analysis session with Master Dai Hu. I was truly shocked that Master Dai Hu could accurately point out numerous details of my past and present. One of the 2 things pointed out correctly by him were the facts that I had women's health issues and also suffering from tinnitus. Prior to meeting Master Dai Hu, I went for a medical examination that revealed a tumour in my womb. And my hearing all along had not been well. Even my small living habits could not escape the eyes of Master Dai Hu. He pointed out that I only buy green tea and not coffe whenever I visit Starbucks, and that I have a penchant for spicy food and noodles. I couldn't help but gave him applause on the spot as a form of encouragement! He was incredible! Be it a small matter or a major issue, Master Dai Hu seemed to be able to see right through your character! My thoughts and plans have no place to hide in front of Master Dai Hu! I am in awe of Master Dai Hu's abilities, which led me to firmly believe that Chinese Metaphysics is indeed not a superstition.

Master Dai Hu also added, that there was no need to be worried about knowing the path ahead. As long as you follow the five elements and your favourable ones, and apply this knowledge in your daily life, you are well equipped to meet the challenges coming your way. He said my life will definitely change for the better, and I would not have to walk down so many wrong paths again, but only towards a brighter future. Therefore, I changed my daily living habits, employing my favourable elements in my diet, even my choice of dressing and make-up. I made an effort to understand my strengths and remind myself to eradicate the flaws in my thoughts and character. The patient guidance of Master Dai Hu was a sudden wake-up call for me, and with it, I gradually found a new direction in my life.

And then there is the name change. I had the thought to engage a Master to pen an auspicious name for my daughter when she was born, but I ended up giving her a name of my own whim and fancy. I felt uneasy because of that. When I met Master Dai Hu for my Bazi Analysis, he told me some brief info about my daughter based on her name. He was spot on. For example, he told me that my girl would be hospitalised before a certain age. Indeed a few months before Master Dai Hu's words, my daughter had already fell sick and warded in hospital.

After my Bazi analysis, I was already convinced by Master Dai Hu's deep and detailed knowledge in Chinese Metaphysics. Hence it was natural that I engaged him to pen a good Chinese name suitable for our Bazi, for both my daughter and myself. I followed his instructions to change my name and employed my new Chinese name in my daily life. The same goes for my girl, and not long after, I witnessed a major change in her. She used to be non-reactive whenever someone called her previous name, and I always felt that the old name was ill-suited. However, with the new name, she became responsive. She likes the name a lot and always say it out loud. She went from a non-responsive child to one that starts talking and singing more and becomes more sociable.

As for myself, I am beginning to feel the subtle influence of the new name on my emotions and mindset. I experience a release of tension and a sense of peace, and become more broad hearted. My overall appearance improved as well, looking much more spirited than before. With the new name and the newly gained knowledge of my own Bazi, the people around me noticed that I have became more lively, radiant and charming.

Feng Shui and Chinese Metaphysics aside, Master Dai Hu is also well-versed in the Dharma. Knowing him more or less gave me a bit of knowledge in Buddhism and its teachings. I thanked my lucky stars that I managed to buy his book Towards Betterment, Towards Kindness. This is a book worth buying as it gave me a chance to know the Dharma. I am thankful that Master Dai Hu often post articles on Facebook that inspire and remind me to do more good deeds, the more the merrier.

I am grateful for the selfless and encompassing love shown by Master Dai Hu, helping many people to resolve their woes, using Chinese Metaphysics and the Dharma. I am one of the fortunate ones. I am also thankful to Master Dai Hu, who answered my call and generously gave me advice over the phone when I was very uncertain in my life. I hope more people have the affinity to meet Master Dai Hu. I would like to wish Master Dai Hu good fortunes. May his spiritual cultivation and Metaphysics knowledge scale to the next level. May his wishes come true.

Amituofo.

(Enclosed is a recent picture of my daughter and I. She likes writing her own Chinese name a lot.)

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玳瑚師父春節開運系列活動（四）-
🎊🏮《元宵節風生水起茶會》🏮🎊
Lantern Festival Prosperity Tea Session

玳瑚師父即將在元宵佳節，繼續爲大家開示大環境和小環境整體的運勢。比如，哪個國家的經濟比較好，到哪一個國家旅行能採運，哪一個國家會發生災難，家庭裡的每一個成員，爸爸媽媽哥哥姐姐弟弟妹妹的狀況，甚至妳你自己的狀況，身體健康、事業、財富、投資、婚姻等等，會繼續在元宵節告訴有幸參與的人。

日期及時間：11 February 2017, Saturday, 8pm - 1030pm
地點：Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Marina Square

有意出席者，請發短訊聯絡吾的助理： +65 90212098，以便留位。為了表達個人誠意，玳瑚師父一概不接受透過別人代傳的簡訊報名。

簡訊中請附上：
1）個人中文姓名，
2）個人八字，

以便玳瑚師父能夠依照您的八字所需而指點您。

餐飲自費，除此以外，沒有額外收費。請趁早報名。一律歡迎有福有慧有心者！請記得攜帶紙和筆，及誠懇禮貌的學習態度。來拜年的報名者們，請記得帶一對年柑和紅包，向玳瑚師父拜年。

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When Spring comes around, on the Yuan Xiao Festival, Master Dai Hu would share his forecast on the micro and macro view of the world. This is his annual super bumper gift to his readers and fans.

Topics on the agenda include which countries will enjoy better prosperity, which countries are best for traveling, which countries are more prone natural disasters, the luck analysis of every family member, and even that of your own. You will get clarity on your own state of health, career, wealth, investment, relationship, etc, if you are among the fortunate participants.

Date & time: 11 February 2017, Saturday, 8pm - 1030pm
Venue: Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Marina Square

To reserve a slot, kindly send a text message personally to my assistant at +65 90212098. Requests sent on behalf of other people will not be accepted.

Information required:
1) Your Chinese name,
2) Your birth detail,
so that Master Dai Hu can advise you, based on your elemental needs.

I welcome people who are eager to learn and willing to put in the effort to turn life around for themselves and their loved ones. Do register early to avoid disappointment! Please remember to bring a pair of mandarin oranges and a red packet to pay your New Year call to Master Dai Hu.

WPPA memeber of the months- One of the famous wedding photographer interview ( Nick Ghionis ) www.wppa.com.hk

Member of the Month – Nick Ghionis @ X Sight
( www.xsight.com.au )
MORE PHOTO AND INTERVIEW : www.wppa.com.hk

1. XSiGHT is one of the most famous leading brands in the photography industry and it already has its studios and galleries in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, California (USA) and also London (UK)… Can you please give us a brief concept about do these studios work closely together or independently while all can maintain such a high level of quality that is absolutely amazing in terms of both business and artistry sense.

Nick: From the beginning the idea behind XSiGHT was to create a BRAND that will represent the best image making in the world. The business model we have attract photographers who are at the top of their game and aspire to be a part of a select group of individuals that will not only compliment the brand but also cement XSiGHT’s position as leaders in the industry.

All our studios work independently of each other with the common goal of creating stunning images and offering excellent customer service.

We put in place a proven business model that all studios would adhere to, but the freedom to create and be artistic in your own right is what makes XSiGHT unique.

2. You are the owner of XSiGHT Melbourne and how you can keep a balance role as you are the boss and photographer at the same time, which seem to be quite difficult to run a successfully business like yours… Do you mind to let us know how many staffs do you have and what is the distribution of their work? Does the scope meet your expectation?

Nick: XSiGHT Melbourne and the XSiGHT brand is owned and run by my wife Sharifa and I. We have surrounded ourselves with a team that can only be described as the best in the business so the day to day running of our Melbourne studio occurs with ease.

Without a great team, it is impossible.

We have two portrait photographers and two wedding photographers, a studio manager (also a photographer), a customer relations officer, two in house digital artists as well as our Creative Director and Photographer Rocco Ancora. Each person has specific roles to help the business run smoothly but most important is client liaison.

All this is overseen by Sharifa Ghionis while I get on with working on the business.

3. For the past years, how you position XSiGHT Melbourne in the market? Did you have a clear target set from the beginning?
Nick: When it comes to marketing our business, we recognize it’s not a once off event, it has a beginning a middle but never an end. There is not one key that opens the door, rather there are many aspects to marketing to ensure that clients are drawn to you on a regular basis. We have consistent strategies in place to make sure this happens and always keep an eye on market trends so as to keep up with changes in client expectations.

4. How you come to the idea of XMENTOR? Any specific marketing plan of it?

Nick: The XMENTORS came about when Rocco Ancora joined the XSiGHT family as Creative Director. As speakers and educators, Rocco, Sharifa and I decided to create a brand where we can draw on each other’s strengths and include different aspects to the photography business from digital workflow to management and business. The brand XMENTORS is all encompassing, making our workshops unique, as we offer photographers content that transcends more than just taking pretty pictures.

5. From your point of view, is marketing plan very important in running an artistry business? Can you share with us your way to figure out your marketing plan as it is very common for artistes that most of them are idealistic and will shift to the “art” side more then forget about the money matter spontaneously… Any advise or suggestions to photographers who just entered the industry and thinking about to set up their own business; and also to those photographers who are already running their own company?

Nick: Many people have a romantic notion of what a photographer is. We consider ourselves artists and get annoyed when business gets in the way of our creativity. Unfortunately this is where many fail in business.
When it comes down to it, we are selling a product. Regardless of the product, a business plan needs to be put in place that takes into account all aspects of photography. You need to calculate ALL expenses: overheads, printing, retouching, production, your time etc in order to make informed decisions and grow your business and profit margin. You need to be a business person in photography rather than a photographer in business.

6, When was the 1st time you had your very first shot? In what circumstances? Was it an amazing one? Then immediate fell in love with “shooting”?

Nick: I first picked up a camera at the age of 21 whilst on holiday in Fiji. Unlike today’s digital world where you are able to see in an instant what you are photographing, I used the camera merely as a tool to document my holiday. It wasn’t until I developed the film that I realise that I might have a talent for this. I actually enjoyed the process of taking photos and instinctively was able to get consistent results without really knowing what I was doing. I thought to myself “..imagine if I actually knew what I was doing, rather than putting it on auto.” That’s when the journey began. I devoured every magazine and book I could get my hands on.
As my passion grew so did my expenses. I built three darkrooms and enjoyed printing my own B&W prints. Like many who enjoyed the fine art of printing, my hero was Ansel Adams. I remember going to an exhibition of his and marvelled at the tonal range and depth that he was able to get in his images.
I would work 3 to 4 jobs to make money and pay for my new addiction. It wasn’t long before I purchased a 5×4 Linhof Master Technica and my 500cm Hasselblad with lenses and backs.

7. Do you remember what was your first set of equipment as a professional photographer? How’s their performance? Good?

Nick: My first camera was a Pentax MG and I grew out of that quickly as I was unable to put it on Manual. I then bought myself an Olympus OM1 which I loved and still have to this day.

8.When and how you have started as a wedding photographer? And how’s this first shoot led you to the way you are now?

Nick: Every weekend for 2 years I assisted other photographers with no pay, just so I could learn, but was too scared to do a wedding on my own. It wasn’t until 1989 that a friend asked me to photograph her wedding. Naturally I declined and thought nothing of it until 2 weeks prior to her wedding when she asked me what plan I had for her big day?! It was too late for her to find another photographer so I found myself shooting my first wedding! At the end of the day, I went home and vomited from stress and exhaustion. I remember paying a premium to get the negatives earlier because I couldn’t handle the anxious wait. When I got the results back I was pleasantly surprised. They were beautiful and it gave me the confidence to do more weddings.

After freelancing for a couple of studios and offering B&W printing services to them, I continued to work from home while persuing other ventures and business opportunities. It wasn’t until I joined XSiGHT that I truly forged ahead with my career. Focusing all my energy into being the best I can be. While I continued to serve our clients and exceed their expectations, my only motivation was to grow the business and remain at the top of our game. However the face of our company for many years was my brother Jerry Ghionis, an amazing photographer, and in my opinion one of the best wedding photographers in the world. It was only until he left the company that I had to make a conscious decision to step into the spot light and stear the company into its next phase. Amongst many initiatives that were put in place, one of them was to participate into the world of awards. Something that initially I was reluctant to do, but felt was necessary to continue the momentum of being an award winning studio, something that Jerry was already doing for our Brand.

9. Which is your best shot? And why?

Nick: With thousands of images taken, when asked which one is your favourite, it is hard to choose. But one photograph that I have dear to my heart is “ The Prayer “ This photograph was taken in the Greek Island of Rhodes, one of my favourite destination weddings. It was taken at the wedding of George and Fiona, who after their wedding decided that it was time they too realised their dream of running a photography studio. They now run XSiGHT Darwin, a thriving business in the north of Australia. At the time this image won 1st Place in the Wedding category at WPPI, it was a proud moment for me, not just for the fact that it won 1st place, but it did so without the over photoshop images that was prevalent in competitions and to a degree still is.

10.Any advice or suggestion could be given to photographers, especially for those fresh photographers?

Nick: I consider myself a purist when it comes to photography I implore all photographers whether you are starting out now or seasoned photographers artistry begins in the camera.

11.What is your motto in your life?

Nick: Many people ask me, what is your mantra? What do you stand for? I think living your life with respect and integrity is what I aspire to do every day.