You walk into a museum. You wander through the halls. You pore over interactive displays. You chat about what you see with a friend until you come upon a wall displaying a photo that stops you in your tracks. A photo that speaks to you. A single moment in time has been captured and presented to you, a complete stranger. In that moment, a connection is made. You have been given the opportunity to take a glimpse into the past, into a moment frozen in time. Whether it is a firefighter helping someone who lost their home, the sun setting over a lake, a couple starting their life together, or a treasured family photo, that snapshot becomes priceless. Photos stop time, giving the viewer a moment to think, to react, to feel, to notice all the small details of a complex scene.
Photos are a way to tell stories. Photos connect you to the subject, the place, the situation. Photos evoke strong emotions which move us towards compassion and empathy. Photos allow you to see the world through the eyes of the photographer for just a moment, allowing you to share in that moment, too. Storytelling through photography is a powerful way to create human connection. To have the ability to move someone and show them a brief window into someone else’s world is what drives me to duck under railings, climb down cliffs, or run towards fires: anything to get that perfect shot.
I realized the power of photography when I started photographing the San Jose Fire Department over 12 years ago. These photographs connect people to the intensity of a fire scene and tell firefighters’ stories of bravery, selflessness, and heroism. The ability to capture the work our firefighters do and help tell their stories inspired me to expand my photography. I’ve captured landscapes and cityscapes across the world. I’ve been hired for engagements, weddings, graduations, headshots, and product and event photography. I look forward to the next ten years behind the lens and all the adventures it will bring.
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