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"For more than four decades, Bruce Weber has been one of the most influential photographers in the world, working for magazines like Vogue, GQ, and Vanity Fair and creating countless iconic images for advertising clients like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. His aesthetic also informs the (sometimes controversial) campaigns he has shot for Abercrombie &amp;amp; Fitch since 1993. Aspiring photographers interested in familiarizing themselves with his style should start by checking out any of his 25-plus published books. Although one can learn a lot simply by scrutinizing Weber's work, he was also willing to spend a little time sharing his accrued wisdom.\n\nHow did you first become interested in photography? \n\n I was a lonely kid growing up in a farm town\u2014my parents traveled a lot and I didn't play any sports. So I began to use photography as a means to communicate with other people and to showcase my adventures out in the world.\n\nWhose work has inspired you? \n\n Today it could be Diane Arbus, yesterday it could have been Richard Avedon, and two weeks ago maybe it was Edward Weston. Tomorrow my favorite photographer could be someone who's hungry enough to save their money to buy their first camera and photograph something that they hold dear.\n\nAs one of the world's top talents, what tips do you have for aspiring photographers? \n\n Well, I read a lot of books. I believe that words open your world and help you to see each day as if you've never seen anything before.\n\nAre there any rules an amateur can follow to take a better picture?\n\n Stay close to home. Remember: Your backyard studio can be the city of Paris.\n\nDo you feel that it's important for a young photographer to go to art school? \n\n Yes. Meet with your teachers and feel comfortable enough with them that you can show them the worst photograph you ever took. You will learn something from those experiences.\n\nHow about assisting a working photographer? What can one expect to learn from that experience?\n\n My assistants stay for a few years and then go on to become photographers or cinematographers or to work in other ways where photography is still a large part of their lives. It's definitely important to work with someone who has a big life.\n\nOf the shoots you've done for Teen Vogue, which stands out as your favorite?\n\n Kristen Stewart for the March 2007 issue. I shot her before Twilight, and at that point she hardly ever wore dresses, but she trusted me enough to do so for the pictures. We just had a good time together being friends. I hope the photos show that happening.\n\nFrom The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Careers in the Fashion Industry, available October 5 wherever books are sold. Click here to pre-order your copy today!"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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