For my fifteenth birthday I asked for a video camera. I had imagined myself a fantastical director who would inevitably be discovered through her videos on youtube. I could be a precocious little brat. The problem with making videos is you have to edit them. Very quickly I discovered I had no patience to learn this. That's when I realized my video camera had a regular camera option. Then it all just, (pun so fucking intended) clicked. I had so much fun running around the house taking truly terrible photos of everything and anything, but at the time they were masterpieces for me. Eventually I needed new subjects and there was only one place to go. At this time I hadn't left the house in almost two years. My agoraphobia, depression, and anxiety were at their most controlling. But photography gave me the strength and courage to push through them. I will never forget that first time taking photos out in public, because I felt like I had a reason to exist there. I hadn't felt so free in so long, it was unbelievable happiness.

Of course over the years my depression has twisted itself and attacked me in new ways to make me think photography isn't worth my time. But when I'm able to sneak past that pain and experience the world with my camera I can still feel that freedom. I like to joke that I'm just good enough to recognize how terrible I am, but secretly I am proud of every piece. I hope you enjoy looking through my gallery.