How did kids coming into the picture change what home means for you?

We moved into this house one week before Kennedy, our youngest, was born. If it wasn’t for kids, I’d be still living in a high-rise apartment with a balcony. When kids come along, you become conscious of them and their needs and growth. We had two bedrooms before, and we wanted a third, for example. A lot has changed for me since becoming a dad; I’m doing things I never thought I would: making their lunches, doing hair, getting up early in the morning. It changed everything in terms of how I operate and the decisions that I make on a daily basis.

What did you look for in a home?

My vision of what a home would be changed based on my family. It was a question of trying to bring all of those needs together – for example, my wife likes to cook. She likes to engage. She’s very talkative, and so we were able to get a home that has more of an open concept so that when she’s cooking, she can watch TV at the same time, because she’s obsessed with the news channel, MSNBC. Or, if I’m sitting with our friends in the living room, and she’s in the kitchen or at the dining room table, it’s not cut off. We’re all talking together: I can sit and look at her from a distance. I can also see upstairs, into the bedrooms. I can see downstairs, too, as we kind of have a split level. It’s a very open, connected home.

Where are you able to find privacy in your home, if anywhere?

I’d probably say outside of my house! Well, our downstairs basement space was just finished, and it’s closed off with barn doors – it’s supposed to be my mancave. But the challenge is that we still have an open-concept home, so even when you close those barn doors, it doesn’t necessarily achieve that effect. My five-year-old does not let me out of her sight, so even though it’s a space that‘s intended to be for me, everybody uses it. So basically, that leaves me in the car! I’m in sales now, so I’m always going somewhere for work; so that’s my private space.

What would change about your home, if you could?

I think moving forward, if we ever thought about getting another house – we probably won’t, because we love this house so much – but if we did, I’d probably say that we need to find a house with a space where you can actually be private, have a quiet conversation that you don’t think anyone else is going to hear.

What part of your home reflects you, individually?

I’m a preacher’s kid, and preacher’s kids need to find something to do: and for me, that’s always been music. Music is a big part of our life and our home. Downstairs we have a drum kit set up, and we all gravitate there. We’ve also had a lot of bands at our house, we’ve had DJs here, and we also held our wedding reception at our house – and that’s all because our backyard is large enough for it. We’ve always invited people to our home for these celebrations around music, and I feel that’s a beautiful way our home reflects my identity.

What was it like to be photographed by Annie Leibovitz?

My house looks immaculate right now – all because of Annie. We had a nice house before, but it’s pretty much been remodeled in the month leading up to her visit. The impact that she’s had on our home has really been life changing, on so many levels: people have approached me to say, Annie just doesn’t just show up to anybody’s house, and suggested that there’s something special about our home. A few people have asked me if I’m a model – and I’m obviously not. I’m a dad and a husband and a friend, but it’s good to know that I’ve crossed paths with Annie and her team, who were outstanding and engaging.