Photography

Growing up in local music

My first concert was in 5th grade at my local record store in St. Louis, MO—a city whose thriving music scene shaped my early years. By 15, after moving to California, I bought my first camera and began photographing weekly shows at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, drawn by its $10 tickets and camera-friendly policy. Within two years, I was shooting for Concert Crap, Goldenvoice, and Live Nation, and even interviewing The Dirty Heads about their new line of beer—two years before I could legally drink. Growing up feeling out of place, concerts became my home, and capturing their energy, vibrancy, and passion remains one of the most meaningful chapters of my creative life.

of course i loved capturing nature too

My love for lighting and atmosphere in concert photography naturally extended to nature, where I’d drive hours for a single perfect shot. Like concerts, the challenge—working with harsh light, waiting for clouds to move—was as rewarding as the final image. In graduate school, surrounded by invertebrates, I began photographing animals sometimes smaller than a fingernail. The world became my playground, and I’m deeply grateful for every chance to capture an animal’s portrait.

Yet the most rewarding is portrait photography

I first took on portrait photography for the money, but quickly fell in love with it. Concert photography fueled my creativity, but portraits captured something deeper—love and joy frozen in a single moment. In music, I was one of many chasing recognition; portraits give me a sense of fulfillment and purpose nothing else can match.