1. What does the word Love mean to you?

For me, Love is the language of creation and storytelling.

2. Have you ever felt like love was missing from your life? (How do you handle these periods of time?)

 Yes. Most of the time, I am reminded by the love of others that love exists all around me. Asking for affection helps me

3. What is the biggest way you see that love (or the lack thereof) has impacted our world today?

I see love impacting the way we pursue our dreams everyday. The support we find in the love of ourselves, our families and friends to “live our dreams” is a reality I am happy to share and experience…

4. What is the last extraordinary book you read and what impact did it have on you?

 Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business  by Danny Meyer. The book was recommended to me by an amazing wedding planner named Jill Gordon and since then several others suggested I read it.

5. From your perspective, what is the most practical way to bring more love into the world?

Meekness. The skill of being meek, choosing an act of peace or compassion when violence might be justified. The hot-headed response or action feels good in the short-term. As a male, I sometimes feel aggression is the conditioned response to hostility, yet compassion is so much more skillful and benefits all parties in the long-term. Practicing the skill of compassion and meekness is a practical method to release love into the world.

6. Is there a connection between love and inspiration? Who in your lifetime has inspired you the most?

Inspiration is love. The ability to seek out something within yourself that will elevate your current frame of mind and/or being…that’s love. In my lifetime, I have had many many personal inspirations. Without a doubt the women in my family are my biggest inspirations. From my great grand-mother, to my grand-mother, to my mother, my aunt and my god-mother, these are women whose womanhood taught me about my humanity so I could begin discovering manhood.

7. How do you incorporate love into your business or professional life?

I am a photographer and artist who documents remarkable love stories and the people who make them possible. Art can very easily become an undervalued commodity both by the artist and the buyer when love is absent. For this reason, I find that seeking out love for my work and each person I do business with is a cornerstone to my continued success.

Your Vision: What intrigues you the most about where the world is headed today?

Humanity has accomplished so much yet the most basic questions of humankind are still wide open for exploration. The journey continues…
       

Parris Whittingham Photography | Your Story. Remembered
Gallery:pswhittingham.com
Journal:parriswhittingham.com
Twitter: twitter.com/iamparris