About me

Getting to know Me and My Process

I've been in the Visual Arts for 23 years. I started as a Web Designer/Developer and Graphic Designer since the age of 12, and was employed as a Jr. Graphics Assistant by 16 in a Print Shop. I have worn plenty of hats when it comes to the digital and traditional art world. I changed from Graphic Design to the Traditional Arts by the time I was 24, and by 2016 I was in LA being trained in Analytical Figure Drawing and Dynamic Sketching. I incorporate my backgrounds in Graphic Design and Traditional/Digital Arts into my process when shooting photography. I do not see, nor approach, photography with the same eye or technique as average photographers. Narrative is king and building compositions that serve a narrative, feel, or mood, is of the utmost importance.

I will often sacrifice traditional photography fundamentals in order to better serve a theme or mood I'm aiming for. The effect this has had on my work is an assumed inconsistency to the output. I have an adaptable approach to capturing a shot or look. It is my philosophy that an open artistic approach trumps a formulaic one. I recognize and appreciate photographers that have a fixed style or method. I, however, do not subscribe to the same school of thought. There is far too much diversity in people therefore I believe a diversified means of attacking a problem is required to best represent those I work with. This methodology has compromised my ability to sometimes produce consistent results in my work overall and establishing a "style," however, it has made the process of creating photography a lot more flexible and fun. Humanity, and life for that matter, does not fit neatly into categories or boxes. Why should photography be any different? If the right tool gets the job done right then I like to collect and develop as many tools I can to serve as many people as possible (within reason).

When the situation or job calls for a more hard-line approach I have the equipment and experience to be able to fit my work neatly into a more market standard approach. Nothing really intimidates me when it comes to the visual arts. I am not limitless, nor a realized master, so there are certain projects or styles that may take me more time to execute or more practice before I can produce a desirable result. I always factor what I know against what I don't when I make estimates. If somebody is asking me for photography in a field or style I'm unfamiliar with, I let that customer know. The importance of my clients providing me visual reference for what they're looking for is the highest priority. I can translate a lot from words and descriptions, however, I'm unable to visualize something that somebody else has in mind. If there is a look my client is aiming for, I need to see the source of their inspiration.

I don't draw blind when I'm drawing, and I don't like to shoot blind when I do photography. The more active my client or subject is with me, the better the result is I can produce. I like to treat every shoot as a collaborative process. I handle the heavy lifting when it comes to the photo, but I want that consistent feedback from those I'm providing the service for. I like to know what they like and what they don't. At the end of the day, I am providing a service to somebody who wants to be represented uniquely, so the more they communicate with me, the better I can manifest a result.

If you're not sure what you'd like or what you want, I'm happy to build a visual library for your job. You are not required to have a vision in mind for your project. If you can't visualize it, I am more than capable of using every tool in my arsenal to help construct that vision for you. Some clients know exactly what they want from me, and for them I simply ask they provide me reference, others want to employ my eye to help build them something they haven't yet seen. What helps me the most sometimes is music. If you can give me the right soundtrack to what you're feeling, I can translate those songs into something tangible, as odd as that sounds. Look, I'm an Artist at my core, so that means I'm weird and my methods are sometimes... odd. That being said, I openly share my thought process with everyone I work with so nobody is in the dark.

Don't ask me what my best work is, my answer will always be the same: "I haven't done it yet." When it comes to my personal work something I liked a week (sometimes a day) ago I may deem unsatisfactory after a night's sleep or new techniques I've picked up in the process of experimentation.