As a child, Jonathan produced beautiful surroundings for the dolls he collected. He made whimsical stop action movies of his troll dolls, designed houses and split level apartments for his cousin's Barbies, and assembled elaborate cardboard castles for royal dolls to live in. Jonathan also constructed marionettes, putting on shows at Sunday School that always featured his favorite, a flamenco dancer, being saved from a life of sin. Today Jonathan and his wife, clothing designer Trina Turk, collect vintage furniture. Jonathan started his career as a stylist, then photographer, was always inspired by Richard Avedon's book, Observations, which he discovered in the library as a high school student. His most prized possession today is his own copy of this now out-of-print collector's item.

Question & Answer with Jonathan Skow:

Inspiration: When I was about ten, I got the book, Life Goes to the Movies. I loved that book, and have done at least ten version of the shot of Raquel Welch dancing in a bikini with a fringed towel.

Influential Movie: The Eyes of Laura Mars in a "what not to do" way.

Hobby: Swimming

Motto: Is lunch here yet?

On the nightstand: What the Living Do: Poems by Marie Howe