There is Beauty in Everything
There is something magical about looking for beauty, and finding it. Whether it’s a person who is unable to control their laughter and joy, or the simplicity of colors found in nature, I genuinely believe in the magic of seeing, observing, and appreciating the little things. When I get behind a lens and look for beauty, everything slows down. I am present, and able to look around me and appreciate what’s there, capturing tiny moments as they happen. Taking pictures opens up my eyes even when I don’t have a camera in my hands. I often see something, and take a moment to appreciate the beauty in the moment, and sometimes wishing I was able to capture it. I hope to carry this with me.
Preparation is Good
In all photoshoots, nothing makes me feel more calm and prepared than having everything ready. Having shots planned out, getting to the location as early as possible, having the location scouted beforehand, having food prepared, having backup batteries and memory cards, etc. The thing about spontaneity is that you have to be prepared enough to let it happen. All the magic in the world won’t forge a fully charged battery out of thin air if you simply didn’t plan ahead enough to replace the battery that has just died in the middle of your shoot.
Spontaneity is Where the Magic Happens
As much as I appreciate planning, I have learned to be fully present and be ready for the unplanned. I have seen time and time again, some of our favorite shots as a team are catching the tiny moments in between the planning, much like the moments of life. In the words of John Lennon, “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” ; that’s how I feel about good documentary photography. That’s where the beauty is to me - that’s where the magic happens. The small, unplanned moments that may seem tiny and insignificant, but in photography, they can make all the difference.
Teamwork is Where the Dream Works
My team is incredible. They are the sweat and the plan and the hard work. They are the time-keepers and the goal-makers. They plan, coordinate and work endlessly to make beauty happen in front of the camera. Being surrounded by them makes me want to create beautiful work, and I believe that I am strongest in my work when I am surrounded by them. As much as I may have a vision, I believe in them, and need them every step of the way.
Authenticity is Worth Fighting For
If there is one thing that I have seen time and time again, it is that the authenticity behind story and brand are worth fighting for. Every brand has a story behind what got them to where they are, and that is the pulse behind the images that we create. We care so much as a team, and I care so much as a photographer. I believe that stories are best told when they are built on a solid foundation, and the integrity is intact from the beginning to the end. The clearer your vision, the funner it is to capture behind the lens. But as a photographer, the story is one of the most important parts to me, and I love creating the visuals to support it.
