Like life, a home can bring both joys and tragedies. Creative people often view their homes as their ultimate creative expressions. Writer Mark Twain built his gorgeous home when he was riding high, indulging his hopes and dreams, fitting his Louis Comfort Tiffany surroundings to reflect his success, his idea of his place in the world. He spent the "happiest years of his life" in this space, before tragedy of family and finances forced his leave. Leaving this space as a symbol and mummification of his ideal life.

My first visit to Mark Twain's house focused on the women in his life — the ones who brought him such joy before loss transformed everything. One image shows a woman in a chair, in her bedroom meant to be his daughter who inspired his Joan of Arc character. She wanted to write like him — those papers at her feet speak to that dream and its loss.

I love how Twain would spin stories for his daughters using whatever sat on the mantel — that inspired the shot with the lion and cat. Another shows multiple Twains chatting with themselves, round and round. What I would give to hear that convo.

The whirling beam of light represents Mark Twain saying he came in with Halley's Comet and would go out with it too (which he did). We made that effect with my assistant running circles with a light source before bolting out the door. No photoshop.

The billiards room shots, with papers flying everywhere, capture how I picture creative days, not unlike my own. The glowing figures outside embody the women who loved this house so much, they might forever stay.