[Whatcom County, WA]

Artist Statement:

In my young adulthood, I become keenly aware of the fleeting nature of existence, nearly to the point of constant panic. I had become deeply frustrated with my capacity to form and retain memories. I later learned that these struggles were linked to undiagnosed ADHD - I’ve always had a hard time slowing myself down enough to enjoy the ephemeral.

It seemed to me that photos were the greatest evidence of my past which I had, and thus my photography began as not much more than a torch to wield against the foggy corners of my personal life history.

I bought my first serious camera in 2019 before moving to Tanzania where I worked a volunteer in the agricultural field, an experience I knew I’d never forgive myself for not documenting as extensively as possible. In that year I shot thousands of photos. Without internet access and the typical Western distractions, I was forced to learn through experimentation and conscious exploration. Being an obsessive learner and lifelong musician, I quickly discovered the practice’s vast potential as a deeply expressive and inherently personal art form.

My subject matter is often diverse. As a conservation biologist, I gravitate toward photographing the precious habitat and associated wildlife which I aim to restore and protect through my life’s work. As a queer person, I aspire to harness photography as a device to subvert expectations and break rules. I love playing with shapes, light, and natural patterns to capture compositions unique to my vision - and my life history as an extension.

What began simply as a tool to help me remember who I am has empowered me to go far beyond - photography has become the primary way I explore my identity while illuminating it to the world.