Personal work made during a depressive period from 2021-2023.
The viewer is caught in a conversation between themselves and the subject. The subject is holding a glass of liquid in front of her eye, symbolizing that there is emotion being held back. The conversations not had, feelings bottled up. The viewer is making eye contact with her, the subject, but can’t look away from what’s obscuring her vision. Why won’t she speak?
The viewer is making eye contact again with our subject, this time we are gazing into light eyes, a stark difference to our subject before. He is adorned with a cigarette earring and has a “hook” trapped in his mouth, like a fish on a metal hook. Though this one is a human hand, it’s the hook of human responsibilities. What are humans on the hook for? Bills, rent, insurance, relationships, a job, being healthy, kids, pets, etc. He looks deep into our eyes and is void of emotion. He is hooked.
Our subject no longer can make eye contact with our viewer. They have built a beautiful mask of rose petals, symbolizing growth, beauty, and femininity. They have pins to show that sunshine personality is present. They almost themselves cannot believe they have transformed into something so ethereal, there’s a delicate touch to the mask. Though she has grown a shield, is it one that will allow her to see and speak?
Spirituality is the base of my philosophy. It is what keeps me rooted, and what brings me into my most intimate relationships. I find that there is power in soft moments of touch, wildly inspiring beauty in the faces of those who keep me grounded, and heavenly flashes of self-reflection that retunes my soul with the world. The use of a camera to capture these beloved moments of my psyche emulate not only my changing ideals and relationships, but my reflection of self and religion.
All the photos I take are a representation of me, even though I am capturing others’ faces. By having my close confidants portray me or my feelings, I am free to execute the photo the way I see fit. The closest people to you reflect the very essence of who you are; using the people who are the closest to me, I am still able to take self-portraits as they also represent who I am. Looking at art movements like the Romantic period and the Byzantine period for lighting and gesture is exactly how I am able to communicate these feelings. My work is deeply based with warm and intimate moments, photographers Elinor Carucci and Richard Avedon have been major influences on how to capture these sweet moments and show the purest form of intimacy between photographer and subject.
Senior photos, headshots, engagments, and weddings.
Inspired by Richard Avedon, I shot these portraits in the studio. These are some of the current female artists of PCA&D in the fall of 2017 in their most raw form.
The internet is something that can bring us closer to one another, I found my fiancee on Tinder; so I thought I would get back on and get face to face with the people who had profiles in the Lancaster area.
My profile was clear in stating that I am strictly looking for models, I even showed examples of my work in the profile (and I am engaged, this clearly will not be a hook up). I would invite my matches to come and get headshots taken and talk with me a little bit, "it's for a project and you get free photos in return!" Some people replied, some people didn't, some people just never showed up, but luckily....people did.
So here's what I wound up with! I hope when viewing these, you get a better look that the people you swipe on are still people. Sometimes Tinder can dehumanize the people we are looking at because it feels almost like a game. I have met some amazing people, gained a few friends, and got some amazing insight.
**I found my models through a "filter" of stating that I am a woman looking for "men" and "women," trying to be as broad as possible in hopes of reaching all corners of Tinder**
Made in the dark room, these are handmade images created layer by layer to build up color. This series is about my close group of friends from high school. The color hues represent our current relationships in 2018.
The summer of 2018 was our last summer of innocence; before we would be thrust into the adult world after graduating college. I looked at past photos of my sweet friends and realized that the last time I took photos, real photos, of them had been 4 years ago.
These photos are the immortalized moments of our last summer fully together. It was outlined by surprise group events, my 21st birthday, Kyra’s wedding, my mother’s birthday, trips over the state, etc.
Here is to us guys, I love you so much my heart hurts. Enjoy the beauty I find in all of you and ourlives intertwined together. I am so lucky to have found you all, il mio amore per te è eterno.
(All work is shot with 35mm or 35mm disposables)
Some of my favorite work made with digital and 35mm film. These photos discuss taboo, fetishes, and sexual exploration.
