Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

I had a 4th grade French Immersion teacher in Toronto who had hair like Tina Turner. She was so stylish. She'd wear leather cigarette pants and heels. But more than that, she really spoke to me as a person. She taught me that my actions show other people how to treat me which is a super deep concept for elementary school. She also introduced us to Frieda Kahlo. Those paintings changed the way I understood life, expression, and art.

What is your purpose?

To live a life that demonstrates love and impacts people positively.

How do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration by listening to the people around me. Many of them are doing amazing things. The stories, circumstances, and culture that I am a part of inspire my photographs and my work.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My mentor John Luer in art school changed my life. I was motivated and naive -- he challenged me as a man and rebuilt the foundation of the designer I am today. Most importantly he helped me understand what I'm worth. Did I mention he wasn't a designer? He was a business man.

What’s your tip for creating a great instagram post?

Man you're asking the wrong guy. We all take ourselves too serious on Instagram with these overly curated lives, which I'm guilty of. But I would just say be consistent, be in focus, and have fun.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Each year the idea of my future self changes. I'm trying to plan a little less and get back to my focus of testing myself and making sure I'm learning something new everyday. In 5 years I want to be better.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

I was obsessed with mathematics in school. It was my favorite class because I like formulas, I enjoyed solving problems, and also coming up with solutions. I'm having a hard time deciding between all my math teachers because I believed that they were all geniuses but there's one who stands out to me the most. My trigonometry teacher in high school, Ms. Draffin. She had really huge eyes and they would light up every time she started teaching. She cared about her students and before every test she would say, "MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU." She came up with great mnemonics that helped me retain formulas and was always willing to push me to achieve more. Looking back on it, I feel terrible because I never really applied myself as much asIi should have in high school.

How do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration through my connection with God, Nature, Traveling, Silence, Balance Within Myself, Pinterest (I can spend all day on Pinterest), Good Conversations with Friends and Instagram. I don't believe in inspiration without clarity. One has to maintain balance within myself in order to see the beauty in life.

What's your style

My style is comfortable. I like clothes that are made to suit each aspect of my lifestyle. I don't believe "tom-girl chic" exists but I'm the fine balance between a tomboy and a girly girl.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher was my high school biology teacher Mrs. Davis. Biology definitely made the short list for my least favorite classes in high school, but Mrs. Davis had a personality that made it a class that I always looked forward to. Her genuine heart for her students was not only evident in the way she taught, but also in the way she cared for our well being. She didn't just teach me biology, she taught me how to be a better person.

What's your purpose?

If I had to sum up my purpose in a single phrase it'd be to add creative and relational value to everything I do. Both of these values are deeply important to me and wherever my life takes me I hope to help foster these.

Best lesson you've learned through experience?

The best lesson I've learned through experience is that we must be vulnerable in order to grow. This truth applies to friendships, our jobs, passions, and hobbies. When we let others in and receive critique we are able to learn and grow in a way that we never could on our own.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My Favorite teacher in High School was Mrs. Stillings. Mrs. Stillings was amazing. I loved how she not only cared about my education, but also about my growth and life. She actually cared. It’s rare to find teachers who are actually willing to put in work to get to know their students past education. After graduation, I stayed in touch with Mrs. Stillings and now I am working in the same school district as her. She’s now a counselor and I’m now a teacher. I hope I can be half the teacher she was. She’s part of the reason I came back to pursue teaching. It’s now my time to pay it forward.

Who is your role model and why?

My role model would be Jesus Christ. I know it sounds cliche, but I’m serious. The way Jesus handled situations, confrontations, temptations, etc. inspires me. As a Christian, my goal is to be like Christ. I’m still a work in progress, but I know for sure that I am not the same man I was before. I have learned to love others and show compassion and also stand for what I believe in. Jesus is a true definition of what a man should be.

Who is your favorite photographer?

Rog Walker is probably my favorite photographer. I love how he tells stories through his pictures. He makes you feel something in his photos. I’m also a big fan of his photo essays and how he edits his pictures. One thing I’ve learned from watching Rog walker is consistency. He’s consistently pushing himself and making art. This motivates me to do the same. In photography, there's always room for growth and I’ve learned to never become complacent. I hope I get to meet Rog Walker one day and personally thank him for being himself and not following the broad road, but making his own path.

Why is photography important to you?

Photography is important to me because of the power it has to not only freeze time, but to also tell a story. Storytelling is so vital and it’s something I don’t take for granted. Photography is a gift that should not be taken for granted. I hope my work inspires others to continue to tell stories through their photographs and make people feel something. Every picture I take or post on Instagram makes me feel something. Photography to me is also passion. I’ve seen people start photography cause it's trendy, but they never had a passion for it and it showed in how they took their pictures. A true photographer has to be passionate about his work and his craft. Passion never dies, it just continues to grow and grow. I’ve had days where I questioned my work and photography journey, but my passion for storytelling made me continue to move forward and now I’ve gotten to where I am because I’ve been passionate about my craft. I've failed a lot, but in failure came growth.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

I can think of two favorites: my high school biology teacher from freshman year and one of my psychology professors in college. Both were so passionate about what they were teaching and approached lectures with such great energy and enthusiasm that they inspired us all.

What was the first thing you shared on Instagram?

My food, naturally.

What is your artistic process?

I find myself drawn to shapes, lines, patterns, and good light. When I find a spot I want to photograph, I take my time photographing it from different angles and then choose my favorite from the set. I post-process the photo, but take care to make sure that the final version isn't too much a departure from the original so that it's still natural looking.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Pattie. I just remember her being very encouraging and challenging for me. That’s when I really discovered my love for history.

How do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in being around creative and passionate people. When I need time alone, I like walking around and discovering new places in my city, which more often than not inspires me.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

A friend told me to say Mexico. That’d be fun, but most likely I won’t be there. I wouldn’t be surprised if I was still in Rochester. I want to bring positive attention to this city and use whatever skills I have to make this a better place to live.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher, and this may seem obvious was my art teacher, Mrs. Donna Casmere. She allowed me to freely experiment and allowed me to discover technique. Mrs. Casmere gave me access to materials and tools that I never would have had access to.
It was in her classroom that I learned to expand my perspectives and embrace my passions.

What was your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject was language arts/English. As a young man I was fascinated by language, specifically English. Grammar intrigued me, etymologies were exciting. I was a bit of a word nerd.

When did you know you wanted to be an illustrator?

I think illustration wanted me. At some point I must have chosen illustration but I swear that when I look back at my life it was my destiny. So here I am today, drawing and painting obsessively.

Describe your artistic process?

It's really a lifestyle. Art is not painting, it's not drawing, it's not singing or writing or sculpting. Art is the expression of creativity and everyone is innately creative. My artistic process starts with attempting to follow a routine in the mornings. That way my brain can get comfortable with the day without being stressed immediately in the morning. The process is brewing and drinking coffee. It is sitting in my chair everyday and doing the work I know needs to get done if I want to contribute my creations to the world.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher in school was Mrs. Sherman. She was my French teacher throughout high school. She was so down to earth and creative in designing projects/activities, so it was fun to learn.

Who is your role model and why?

Easy. My Father, Bishop Andrew Merritt. I want to be like him when I grow up. :) The definition of a Godly man and father. He's taught me so much and continues to pour into me daily.

Where do you see Merit/FATE in 5 years?

Helping hundreds of students across the World to aspire, believe, and contribute!

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher was my high school math teacher Mr. James. Not only was he a great teacher but he also took a personal interest in each of his student's lives and was always there to encourage us.

Who believes in you?

My wife and my parents have always been big supporters and encouraged me to pursue my creative passion. My parents noticed my interest in art at an early age and invested in helping me further my skills. When I started Ugmonk I had no idea it would eventually turn into a full-blown lifestyle brand, and my wife has been supporting me every step of the journey. My wife was actually the one who encouraged me to make the jump and quit my job to run Ugmonk full-time. There's nothing better than having support from my family.

What is the best lesson you’ve learned running Ugmonk?

The biggest thing I've learned is that there are no shortcuts to success. It's all about working hard and being nice to people.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My first art teacher in college was an amazing lady by the name of Judith Cook. Up until then I don't think anyone had ever inspired me to just be me as much as she did. I seriously can trace back some of my biggest creative sparks to the days I spent in her Art Studio.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Probably History. For some reason I just can get so nerdy about historical facts and how things came to be.

What’s your tip for creating a great instagram post?

Be yourself. I see too many people out there trying to copy the latest trend or editing style. I've always found that people engage best with you when you're sharing your life in a natural and organic way.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

Oh easy. Mr. Voltz - my freshman year biology teacher. Freshman year of high school was one of those character-defining years of life - and I was definitely deciding to be the wrong type of person. I was skipping school, hanging with the wrong crowd and getting into all types of trouble, and nearly failing all of my classes. Except for biology. Mr. Voltz made learning biology interesting and relevant, and incredibly visual. And for me, something about biology came naturally, so even though I didn't think it was cool to put in any effort into classes or cool to be smart, I still did relatively well in his class. And he didn't let that fact slip away from me. He pulled me aside and constantly reminded me that I was screwing up (and not in a scolding way, but in a caring way) and that I could do so much more with my life. His talks finally got to me and I never looked back. .

What is your purpose?

I think I'm still trying to figure that one out! I feel like it's gradually unfolding, though, and it will certainly have something to do with inspiring others to follow their dreams, however big they may be. I think we dream as big as we think is possible, and for many of us (at least from where I grew up), what was possible just didn't seem that big. I didn't know of any lawyers or doctors or CEOs, especially none that looked like me. Part of having the blog is just making one person's small success story available to others - to let others see that it can be their reality and inspire them to work towards it.

How do you juggle all that you do??

Good question! I'd say as a wife, mother, medical student, and blogger, most days I don't feel like I'm doing a particularly good job at any of my roles. Thankfully, though, I had a mentor share the same feelings of inadequacy with me. Coming from a woman who had patients who raved about her, whose kids called her now and then just to say they loved her, and who still went on Monday coffee dates with her husband - I knew this feeling would never go away no matter how well I was actually doing! For more practical advice on juggling it all, I'd say I always have a to-do list on my phone that I set to send me reminders, and at the end of the day know that you can't wear all the hats at the same time. And that's just fine.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

Not sure I had a favorite teacher. But, I did gravitate towards a favorite subject and that was Art/Science, anything that allowed me to make my own rules or explore. Those subjects took me away from the worries of life, the urges to be academically competitive. Art & Science were my confident suits because there was never a right or wrong answer…(in art at least) it was just interpretation. A free will!.

Where do you take design inspiration from?

My design inspiration is taken from a multitude of things. The beautiful thing about my design inspiration is it’s un-relentless in pursuit. It’s everywhere, the wonders of it all are you have 5 vessels in which it can be conceived from and transpired through: 5 senses! For me it’s generally a mood, desired lifestyle, a visual story, a pattern/color of fabric, history and an experience that I have encountered that I want to translate through design.

Describe your style:

I’d say my style is effortless. It’s easy and straightforward. I tend to stay with neutral colors. My primary and favorite color is Navy and a hue of Blue… my style tends to be fairly monochromatic. Though ever evolving but consistent with who I am as an individual and as a designer. My style is a replica of me!

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

Mr. Kurtz—He is an idiosyncratic fellow who encouraged and supported me in science research. He was my biology teacher in high school and one of the most inspirational mentors in my life. His devotion and fervor to teach science is unique, unparalleled, and unforgettable. I think he still wears a lab coat adorned with my artwork.

How did your passion for photography, cooking, and medicine kick at the age of 4?

My relentless passion for science led me to explore in the kitchen. My desire to infinitely savor and reflect led me to document my concoctions and ephemeral moments. My curious nature to experiment led me to dissect a film camera— literally taking it apart—which allowed me to truly understand the mechanics of photography. My mother is an ICU physician and when I was 4, I vowed to be like her. This veneration and zeal flourished and perpetually grows as I wake up each morning. I simply cannot see myself in a different profession.

How do you juggle all the things you do?

When you have undying resolve, you will find time.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher was Cheryl Ross, my art teacher. She invested in us as students and pushed us to work hard, be curious and to not be afraid of failing.

Who believes in you?

My God, my wife and family.

What your tip for creating a great Instagram post?

1. Curation - How the images are arranged and the story it tells. 2. Conversation - Does your caption provoke conversation? Asking about your audience and being authentic are the best ways. 3. Curiosity - Having a different perspective, maybe it’s the neighborhood you're growing up in, your perspective from the job you're working or something that you're passionate about. People want to see your perspective and hear your authentic voice.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

Dr. John Cone, hands down. As an Art History professor, it was so easy for Dr. Cone to instill the same passion, that he had for his subject, into the minds and hearts of his students. He not only taught from a book but he taught from his life. He leveraged his experiences and his knowledge and mastery of his subject. He not only taught but he stood alongside us in our pursuit of an education. His influence went beyond the classroom and has forever changed how I encourage, how I communicate, and how I approach big projects. He taught me how to marry myself to my passion and apply that same energy into every facet of my life, not just how to pass a test to get a passing grade. I truly believe the world would be better if more people were like Dr. John Cone.

What’s your best tip for creating a great instagram post?

Create an environment on your platform (regardless of the size of your platform) where people can get to know you. If you lead with honesty, then no matter what you share people will connect with it. At the same time, make sure you’re having fun! Post what you want and when you want. If you forget to have fun then it’ll become a chore and if we’re honest, no one likes to do chores.

Describe your style

If I were to boil it into one word, I would describe my style as "inclusive." I want so much for the people viewing my work to feel like they can enter my work. To feel the emotions my subjects feel, to place themselves at a meal with a family, and to smile and laugh as if they heard the exact same joke. I use photography to let people into my world and get to know the people I come across. All I want and hope is for that to be what people experience.

How would you describe your style

Effortless and chic. I often like to sum it up as" tomboy chic."

Who is your role model?

My mommy, daddy and brother!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully creating my own content for my blog by writing stories that relate to children all over the world as well learning multiple languages and expressing different cultures through travel and school studies.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

I've been lucky to have had a number of great teachers throughout the years. If I had to pick one, I guess I'd go with my college advisor. A guy named Sandy Huntington who taught Eastern Philosophy. Getting to know him was a great experience. He taught me the importance of finding balance as well the power of letting things go.

Who is your role model?

Really anyone who's out there living life to the fullest and following their passions.

What does photography mean to you?

Photography is a way of seeing and understanding the world around me and being able to share my vision while telling the stories of the places I go and the people I meet.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher is Professor Angela Deulen. The reason I chose her is because I could tell she genuinely cared about me as a person as well as my academic career. She spent time to get to know me, my abilities, my struggles, my goals, and my passions. All she wanted to do was support and challenge me and it was always evident. It also helped that she had so much experience in her field and was able to convey it so wonderfully.

When did you discover your passion for photography?

I discovered my passion for photography in a cinematography class when a professor showed me how beautifully an iPhone of all devices could capture moments. I never had the money to buy an expensive camera but when I saw the photos he took with his iPhone, I thought, "Hey, I have one of those, maybe I can learn to take photos like that."

What are some tips to take a great photograph?

To capture a good photo it's all about taking the time. Taking a good picture cannot be rushed and there are no shortcuts. Take time, find the best angle/perspective, and never settle, always challenge yourself and grow yourself to become better. It's easy to look at a photographer's work and know they are playing it safe or that they took the easy route.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

Probably Mrs. Priddy, my Spanish teacher for two years in high school at Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee, Florida. I was just always a trouble-maker and a lot of teachers would get really fed up with me, but Mrs. Priddy always gave me second and third and fourth chances and took the time to let me know she cared. She was a great teacher. She let me TA (teacher's assistant) for her my Senior year as well. I have to admit, I don't remember anything but "bad" words in Spanish, but I have nothing but fond memories of being in Mrs. Priddy's class.

What’s your best tip for creating a great instagram post?

Quit caring what people think or how many likes or comments something gets. Too many people create for other people and that's such a bummer. It's extremely freeing to create because you love to create. I like to stay inspired too, whether it's traveling, looking at other people's work that I admire, looking through magazines or books, etc - inspiration drives me to make better photos.

Describe your style...

I love lighting. Lighting is everything for me. I honestly have a hard time outside if it's too bright out, but I've learned to work well indoors using ambient light. I'm constantly looking for straight lines to help draw people's eye towards something specific. Lines are distracting to me unless they're straight. More and more I'm just trying to make images that make you feel something. It's much harder than just taking a pretty photograph, but it's so much more powerful.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher was my Journalism teacher in high school, Ms. Sayre. She pushed and challenged us to think about our future and what we wanted to be.

What’s the greatest joy of being an entrepreneur?

Leading people towards accomplishing a goal. Truly connecting and inspiring people. I really enjoy being a barber because you get to connect with people everyday.

What's your purpose?

My purpose is creating experiences that inspire people to become who they are meant to be. Helping people really believe they they can become. I believe we help people understand who they are.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

Mr. Anderson was my favorite teacher back in high school. He was an Earth Science teacher, which isn’t my area of pursuit, but his drive and the way he communicated his interests inspired me to do the same with my own.

Best lesson you've learned through photography?

Slowing down and being captured by a moment is one of the best lessons I’ve learned during my short time being a photographer. Being patient and acknowledging the moment before capturing it has given more meaning to the experiences I’ve had and also a better sense of long term interest in further pursuing photography.

What's your purpose?

Mark Twain said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” While I can’t say I’ve experienced my second most important day, I know my purpose is in the area of encouraging others and contributing to a greater movement.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

Kathryn Mckinley. I took a lot of social work courses with her. Her humility taught me a lot about life and entering other peoples spaces. Something I do constantely as a photographer.

What's your artistic process?

I have 3 steps that I usually like to go by. First, it always starts with a feeling, some type of pull that I want to pay closer attention to. Then, I’ll do tons of research. Finally, I try to forget everything and get lost in the work.

Why did you want to be involved with this project?

Young people are the future. We have to inspire them to change the world.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

Mrs. Brookshire (3rd grade Explorer class teacher) -- she taught all about dinosaurs and to pursue creative mediums like drawing and all kinds of art. She pushed me to take risks without being judged or criticized.

What’s your best tip for creating a great instagram post?

It's all about light and composition. Don't worry about what others think so much; share whatever comes from your heart.

What's the greatest joy of being a photographer?

Being real and honest with others and myself.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

Mr. Johnson was my 7th grade english teacher and he changed the way I look at the world. Mr. Johnson saw things in me that I couldn't see in myself. He pushed me to start writing creatively and encouraged me to pursue my passions for all kinds of art. We're still friends today.

What’s your best tip for creating a great instagram post?

Be real. Be authentic. Be broken. There's too much faux perfection in this world. Focus on creating content out of brokenness because brokenness is something each of us can relate to.

Describe your style

My style is based in storytelling. My goal is to never share a photo that doesn't have a story to back it up. That doesn't mean I'll always share the story, but stories are always at the core of what I find to be beautiful.