Nashville-based photographer capturing raw, human moments in a time of AI.
Q: You mentioned you love photographing independent artists, especially in their own space. What draws you to that kind of intimacy?
A: I like to photograph people in their element. That could be their own homes or it could be some other spot that they love or a venue they’re performing at. I feel like it adds depth to the portrait if the location is meaningful to the subject.
Q: Your work feels very connected to Americana and folk culture. What is it about that world that inspires you visually?
A: I think it feels very raw and authentic, which is how I have always wanted my own work to feel, so it’s a good fit.
Q: When you photograph an artist at home, what are you looking for in that environment?
A: Sometimes I am looking for visually interesting spaces that I personally like, but then sometimes I just let the subject take the lead and shoot them wherever they seem drawn to.
Q: In a time where AI is becoming more present in art, how important is it for you to capture something real and human?
A: I am so disturbed by the presence of AI in art! I have been using film exclusively for over 15 years just because I loved it, but now it almost feels like a small act of protest. I think a lot of film photographers feel that way right now. I have also started certifying my photos as “human-made” through a Nashville-based company called Humanable. I would love to see AI do things like cure cancer or help us fight climate change, but I strongly believe it has no place in art.
Q: What makes a portrait feel “right” to you? When do you know you’ve captured something special?
A: I’m always waiting for the right facial expressions. It’s hard to define that in words but when I catch a good expression it makes the photo for me.
