Core Beliefs

“I had this notion of what I called a democratic way of looking around, that nothing was more or less important.” - William Eggleston

This way of seeing the world isn’t about negating the desire or need for a photograph to have a subject, but rather, allowing that anything can be that subject. There is no hierarchy where one subject is deemed more valuable or worthy, and every element in the frame is relevant. Really successful photographs are built on a scaffold of supporting pieces.

How Beauty Shows Up

I asked for permission to walk into the greenhouse to take a few pictures. The bedding plants were just beginning to take root. The park ranger was smoothing cement for a strong support within the greenhouse. I talked with another young ranger about the joys of picture-taking. The morning rain had eased off, so I walked the garden beneath light diffused by soft clouds. The peonies ranged from buds to full blossoms. The irises rose from the gardens like dots connecting one to another, leading the way to a larger picture—it’s own kind of surprise.

Every day I find beauty simply because I look for it. I look for it in the same way I draw air into my lungs. As though I need it to survive. This is not an exaggeration; it feels deeply true.

Still Life

I sometimes struggle with still life work. When I work with objects rather than living subjects, I remove elements of unpredictability and exercise greater control. I can’t truly say that I am attempting to convey any deep philosophical statement. And, often a single picture seems incomplete—like one half of a conversation. But, place those pictures side-by-side and there is a dialogue. Two ordinary objects carrying the weight of meaning, whatever that meaning is to the viewer. In any case, I worry that these are just pictures of things and not about things. Until I step back, and see myself in the frames, and let go of the notion that any of it needs to mean anything at all. A ripe heirloom tomato in a thrifted bowl. Tiny red begonias in a wall pocket. Pictures of moments of stillness, where things are simple for a second.