Projects
These projects stem from curiosity, imagination and a passion for social justice, education and change. Below are previews of each project. Feel free to explore the entirety of each project by hovering over the "Projects" tab above and clicking on the title in the drop down menu.
Michael's Challenge
Michaels Stores put out the challenge to have a full photo shoot in their photo shoot. I took up that challenge with the help of the wonderful Sara and Tyler. It was lots of fun and helped us to remember to let loose, act goofy and to just have fun.
Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve
People have always been creative with how they express their beliefs. I have become very interested in how people are showing their support in the resistance movement. Whether they are advocating for LGBTQ, BLM, women's rights or immigrant rights I want to see how people express their support for the causes they hold dear to their hearts and share those causes.
Small Steps of Strength
This series is an effort to overcome the stigma surrounding mental illness. Medical science increasingly recognizes that behavioral health issues are as important as prevention and treatment of an individual’s physical health. Many people suffer complications in illness due to underlying behavioral health conditions that are not addressed. Anxiety disorder is currently the most common mental illness occurring in the United States in addition to depression, and it affects approximately 15 million people per year. Everyone experiences anxiety or depression differently. This can often lead to others’ discounting an individual’s inner struggle. There are many ways people suffering from anxiety and depression can help themselves. Even the smallest of steps is still one step forward, and each one takes courage and strength. This series will explore those small, seemingly innocuous steps that can make a significant difference in overcoming anxiety and depression. These actions may seem random to others, but those who suffer know how hard it can be. We can overcome the stigma by talking more frequently and openly about anxiety and depression, and sharing effective solutions like those presented in these photos. All the models in this series are people who have experienced the struggle with depression or anxiety. They are all incredible and I appreciate each and everyone of them for participating. I hope that these photos inspire each of you to address any issues that you or someone you know may be experiencing. Thank you.
This is What Democracy Looks Like
As I weaved my way through the protesters marching within the streets of Portland, I heard the now familiar call-out begin: "Tell me what democracy looks like!" "This is what democracy looks like!" This call-out resonated with me personally as I recognized that I was living history in the moment. I have encountered far too many people who are terrified for themselves, their friends and loved ones, and even complete strangers. What has fascinated me the most has been watching the opposition twist the aggressive and hateful rhetoric of the 2016 election cycle and new Trump administration into slogans and chants for the social justice movement. This project creates visual human representations of the chants, slogans and hashtags currently being used by the social justice movement. I recruited my models from regular people and asked them to pick an issue or a slogan with which they identified. Please click on each picture to enlarge it and read an explanation from each model explaining why they chose the topic they did.
Permanent Art
I started this project after a discussion in a classroom about whether tattoos counted as a form of art. Everyone was arguing back and forth about what types of tattoos qualified as artwork, based on how original they were, the meaning behind them, or how long they planned for it. I argued that tattoos are an ultimate form of art whereas the person is turning themselves into a canvas to be painted. The intent should not matter behind the tattoo. The fact that it was important enough for them to want it permanently on them, whether for aesthetics or for personal meanings. I hope you can see the beauty in them that each of these people do.
