A meaningful photograph, one that stands the test of time, is more than technical perfection. It’s the embodiment of what could be through what is. In other words, meaningful photographs are greater than the sum of their parts. This truth became more and more evident to me over the course of several years living in a variety of countries and cultures. I found the camera to be a tool of connection — one that could give value to both the photographer and the subject alike. Some of my most cherished memories are the connections made with a camera in hand.

My extensive travel has fostered a desire to photograph the naturally-unfolding story rather than the staged one. However, the goal is not to just document, but to preserve a feeling — one that lives on long after the moment fades. If both the person or place in front of my camera is honored, I know I’ve succeeded.

These lessons learned overseas inform the way I approach work from my current home in Boone, North Carolina. I want every image to be authentic and immersive, conveying something beyond what’s seen on the surface.