My name is John M. Shaw; I am an ethnomusicologist, writer, musician, producer, clinician and amateur photographer. The latter hobby is the focus of this particular blog. Although photos can be found in my other two blogs, The Delta Review and A Distant Magpie, Kudzu Republic is a place where I highlight my favorite photographs. I make no claim as a professional photographer. I am largely self-taught, and my goal is preservation and documentation rather than being an artist as such. What little I know I learned from my parents and from photographic books. Any inquiries about permission to use any of my work should be sent to jdoggtn@gmail.com.