My Journey: Part 1

Minimalism always on my mind (2005)

My artwork reflects the diverse paths my life and career have taken. From studying photography and working as a photojournalist to exploring urban planning and landscape architecture, creativity has been the constant thread connecting these experiences. At my core, I am drawn to the stories and visual expressions of human existence.

My only formal photography training was a high school class in Wichita, Kansas, where I grew up. I can’t recall why I enrolled, but I loved it. Our school had one of the few functioning darkrooms in the city, and I became captivated by the process—capturing images, developing prints, and sharing my work. That semester ignited a lifelong passion. Soon after, I started taking journalism classes and bought my first DSLR.

Photography taught me to see the interplay between people and place, documenting both mundane and extraordinary moments. It became a lens through which I explored life’s joys, sorrows, routines, and milestones.

After high school, I studied photojournalism at Kansas State University. While the program wasn’t widely known, it had a legacy of producing exceptional talent, including National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson and White House photographer Pete Souza. I was fortunate to learn from renowned professionals like Richardson, Rich Clarkson, and Andy Nelson.

Midway through college, the 2008 financial crisis reshaped my career path. The bleak outlook for journalism led me to pivot toward urban planning and community development. Even as my academic focus shifted, photography remained central to my life. I worked part-time for Student Publications, specializing in sports photography, where I captured powerful, fleeting moments like game-winning plays. My work appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, and Kansas State University publications.

After graduating, I moved to Denver and worked as a school planner. However, I longed for a profession that combined visual creativity with tangible community impact. This desire led me to landscape architecture and urban design, where I merged analytical skills with artistic inclinations. Two years later, I earned a design degree and began contributing to high-profile projects that blend storytelling, design, and community impact.

Wooden Stumps (2021)

Through all my transitions, photography has remained a deeply personal passion—a way to tell stories, explore emotions, and connect with the world. It continues to fuel my creativity and inspire my journey.