As a young kid with dyslexia, I found my strength in athletics. Extreme athletics in particular. I was dead set on becoming a world famous athlete, and anyone who knew me back then would say it really wasn't that far-fetched an idea. That all changed in 2015, though, when my doctor discovered I had particularly advanced signs of a serious degenerative heart condition. I was 15, and everything I ever expected my life to be was pulled out from under me. The next three years I felt like my identity was gone. Between spurts of doing nothing, paralyzed with dread for the future, I'd go out and push my athletic abilities more than ever before. Defying death on top of cliff faces, bridges, buildings, and especially on my motorcycle was a way of coping, because I knew that sooner or later I'd be incapable of the high intensity, adrenaline inducing activities I lived for. I didn't realize it at the time, but something did continue from before and after my diagnosis - whenever I was out skiing, solo climbing, or speeding around from place to place on my Harley, I would be taking pictures of everything. It was after an amazing trip to Chile I realized I wanted to become a photographer. I used my iPhone 8 to document that trip, then came back home to peak Fall foliage. There was a wave of "What am I doing? I NEED a camera!" and soon after I bought the Sony a7iii and two lenses. What followed was easily the most healing and important year of my life. I fell in love with photography and found solace in the idea of doing it forever. Then, having never even considered shooting film, 14 months after getting my digital camera I was given an old Minolta for free. While shooting my first couple rolls I fell in love all over again. Today I use a Hasselblad 500c/m for the majority of my work, and have started / conceptualized various projects - Surviving Diagnosis, People You Know, Kids with Cameras, and New Americans.
Portrait and interview series bringing awareness to the mental health and real-world challenges of people with medical conditions, whether noticeable or unnoticeable. This project shares the powerful stories of what people and their families experience after a diagnosis, especially what they’ve been able to accomplish despite their conditions. The project draws from my personal experience dealing with two serious diagnoses: a heart condition at 15 and connective tissue disorder at 20. It is also inspired by my aunt who was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at 15 and is one of the most loving and kind people I know.
Long term non-profit project to teach young people the art of photography using 35mm cameras. The goal is to teach kids about photography, help supply them with gear, and then support their work on social media and in galleries as they grow their own following and careers as photographers and/or artists.
Portrait and interview series dedicated to all the amazing first-generation Americans from all over the world who are now living and working in the United States. Inspired by my grandfather who immigrated from Austria after WWII and two of my best friends in the world who are from Chile!