Photographer + Director
Oakland, CA
Portfolio
Q&A
Q: What song do you play on repeat?
A: Hmmmm, depends. For hitting the weights "The Devil and The Huntsman" by Daniel Pemberton. For career motivation "Count Me Out" by Kendrick Lamar. For vibes anything by Sade.
Q: What's the best way to start the day?
A: Either hitting the gym or Jiu-Jitsu training early in the morning. Then a shower and then getting the day moving.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this year?
A: Traveling to the Philippines for the holidays, new projects with clients, and hopefully something amazing I never expected to happen.
Q: What is the most impactful project you've worked on and why.
A: As far as a social contribution my work with World Central Kitchen has been big; I love working with Chef Jose Andres and his organization - no politics, no religion, no alternative agendas just getting good food to people in desperate need.
For my personal work, I've been documenting the Hells Angel's MC. They definitely do not let just anyone come around, especially with a camera in hand so I have been thankful they trusted me to document their lifestyle.
And career-wise being asked by Snoop Dogg's team to cover him and his celebrity guests for his show GGN was definitely a good look.
Q: Which art/photo exhibit that you've seen has impacted you the most?
A: Off the top of my head I was recently in DC for a job and saw the photography exhibit at the Library of Congress. It wasn't a huge exhibit but the work it showcased was incredible.
Q: What mystery do you wish you knew the answer to?
A: How to get Agency representation in 2022. LOL.
Q: What are some things you had to unlearn?
A: That my thoughts and emotions don't define me. I am not my beliefs, feelings, or behaviors.
Q: What fictional place would you most like to go?
A: Regular life already strikes me as incredible but if I had to pick a place the future world of the show "Altered Carbon."
Q: What have you only recently formed an opinion about?
A: I try to stay far away from holding any opinions, both mine and that of other people.
Q: What book impacted you the most?
A: I think it's a three-way tie between Sapiens by Noah Harai, Deviate by Beau Lotto, and The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene.
Q: What risks are worth taking?
A: Any risk where the payoff far exceeds the potential of loss.
Q: What are the first 3 chapters of your autobiography titled?
A: 1. The Art of Getting Over
2. Kings, Heroes, and the Street
3. Lovers, Fighters, and Riders.
Q: What do you spend the most time thinking about?
A: Probably way too much about Jiu Jitsu, followed by thinking about thinking and not thinking, and then just photography.
Q: Best and worst advice you've ever received.
A: Jonathon Mannion told me recently "Take people out of the moment and into themselves. Make it mean something." That's definitely good advice. Worst advice - any advice I didn't ask for that was solicited to me by someone who has no skin in the game.
Q: How has your work evolved over the past few years?
A: Stylistically I think I have gone from shooting mostly street-based work to more polished commercial-feeling work. But I would like to keep moving in a trajectory where I am still shooting street-influenced work that is highly polished but still feels authentic and not like a corny remake for brand usage. Technically I have gone from shooting a lot of really punched-in tight shots to wider lensing that gives more context and atmosphere to my photos.
Q: One thing you can't show up to a shoot without - Besides a camera ;)
A: Incredible magic can happen with just one P.A. who is willing to move mountains to help you bring the creative vision of the shoot to fruition.