How I Got Started

Art has been a part of me for long as I can remember. The story of how I got started has many components, so let me break it down into five major life segments.

Early Years 

Paper, markers, paint, clay, sewing, crafting, weaving, building, tools, you name it I likely tried it. Being an only child, my parents bought me endless crafts to keep me my mind involved. I loved it all. 

Discovering Photography 

In my early teens I truly discover the medium of photography. I had been around film cameras and in the commercial studio my whole life but focused on other mediums of art until I received my first point and shoot digital camera at 12. I was in love. Its instantaneousness resonated with me. Painting and other mediums harness a different feeling of satisfaction upon completion. When you take a photo, a “good” photo, you feel a little tingle deep in your soul. The photo below was one of my first path forging images. 

Senior year of High School I enrolled in AP Photography. My concentration was a digital black, white, and red photo project entitled “What if…”. It focused on the use of photography and photoshop to create scenarios that played off “What if...” thoughts.

College & Entering the Art World

Miami Dade College was where the next chapter began. It provided many rewarding experiences by exposing me black and white film, color film, medium and large format film, and studio photography. In black and white film, I began a passion project, “People and their Pets”. I’ve found there is a special attachment people have to their pets, as well the pets to their owners. I aimed to capture the love and connection between them. This project comes to mind any time a client wants to bring their pet to a session. It will always be a yes from me. 

While at MDC I became an associate editor of the downtown campus art and literary magazine, Metromorphosis. The magazine blending of written works and visual art resulted in a completely new piece of art that was the Metromorphosis magazine. 

In 2014 I had the privilege of receiving the photography award for academic excellence and scholarly achievement from Professor Joseph Tamargo. Other academic influences from MDC were exhibited painter Claudia Scalise, studio photographer Orlando Mendez and wedding photojournalist Cindy Karp. At MDC I learned to enjoy both the technical aspect of studio photography and the creative process of film photography

Finding Weddings 

In honesty, weddings found me. My black and white film professor Cindy Karp, who is also a New York Times photographer and wedding photojournalist, asked me to begin assisting her for Weddings. I remember the very first wedding, it felt like a day of magic. Every detail, every love filled moment, every piece of the day fueled an excitement I had not felt before. The smile stayed for days. It was then that I knew weddings were for me.

University and Learning to See

A drive to continue learning led me to Florida International University, where I refined my skills and expanded my knowledge of History of Art, in particular photography. Art School diversified my exposure to art and artists, in turn pushing me to gain a better understanding of my medium and instilling an ability to discuss and comprehend artistic concepts on a deeper level, 

FIU put numerous incredible artist and photographers in my path; Peggy Nolan, William McGuire, Tori Arpad-Cotta, Pip Brandt, Andrew Nigon, and Mirta Gomez-Del Valle were some of my mentors. My Senior Thesis was a mixed digital and color film photography project entitled “This Thing Right Here”.  I took on the challenge of finding the energy of a moment in my surrounding environment, forcing me to slow down and appreciate the intimacy of a day. My ongoing subject matter flowed between domestic narrative, portraits of home, and lifestyle documentary, but with an air of purposeful deflection. The fragmented moments of place have evidence of human life that can transcend into the identity of anyone.  

Someone once told me it’s hardest to photograph are things closest to you. I took on the challenge to find the energy of a moment in my surrounding environment, forcing me to slow down and appreciate the intimacy of a day. My ongoing subject matter flows between domestic narrative, portraits of home, and lifestyle documentary, but with an air of purposeful deflection. The fragmented moments of place have evidence of human life that can transcend into the identity of anyone. I took on the challenge to find the energy of a moment in my surrounding environment, forcing me to slow down and appreciate the intimacy of a day. My ongoing subject matter flows between domestic narrative, portraits of home, and lifestyle documentary, but with an air of purposeful deflection. The fragmented moments of place have evidence of human life that can transcend into the identity of anyone. Someone once told me it’s hardest to photograph are things closest to you. I took on the challenge to find the energy of a moment in my surrounding environment, forcing me to slow down and appreciate the intimacy of a day. My ongoing subject matter flows between domestic narrative, portraits of home, and lifestyle documentary, but with an air of purposeful deflection. The fragmented moments of place have evidence of human life that can transcend into the identity of anyone. 

I earned my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Florida International University in 2016.

Working as a Real-World Artist 

During my last year at FIU and after I dove into my field working for several photography companies. Shooting constantly broadened my exposure to real world photographic environments and situations. Understanding spaces and lighting in minutes to document a grand once in a lifetime event takes practice. I took on anything with anyone to learn. In turn I’ve seen what goes into an incredible photographic experience and what goes into a not-so-great photographic experience.

Companies I’ve been fortunate to be a part of include Wedding Photography by Liam, who is ranked top 2% of all wedding photographer in the U.S. by The Knot. Miami Beach’s and The Knot’s Hall of Fame Photography Company, Dana Lynn Photography. As well as commercial and celebrity headshot photographer Lynn Parks. 

These opportunities have brought me to hundreds of gorgeous venues and locations all around South Florida, from east coast of Fort Meyers to The Breakers of Palm Beach, all the way to Cheeca Lodge in Isla Morada. These past years have left me with the highest regard from my personal clients and the deepest desire to create an experience for them that goes beyond one day. A legacy that keeps on giving. 

“Art is not a thing — it is a way.”

--Elbert Hubbard