Although the images on this site are mostly products of photo shoots for various Miami Beach model agencies, the visual components of my work frequently defy the norms of the prevailing industry “test shoot” aesthetic. Colors, for example, are sometimes muted, exaggerated, or otherwise distorted. Lines often transect or isolate the human subjects. Skin texture, stray hair, and other so-called flaws are not removed via Photoshop.
As for the ideological components of my work, the choices that I’ve made in presenting these images are expressions of the way I view the world (and, in particular, the way I perceive the fashion industry). I find strength in vulnerability, and beauty in imperfection. I didn’t make a conscious decision to subvert the dominant paradigm of fashion – my professional work is just a faithful reflection of how I see things.
I’ve been shaped by my life experiences – by my participation in the nascent punk scene of the early 80s, by my nomadic liberal arts education, by my (mis)adventures working as a photojournalist and nightclub DJ, and by my ongoing volunteer work with local schools – and those experiences have naturally affected my photography.
Everything is connected: my vintage Fender Jaguar and expired Polaroid film; Daisy Buchanan and Kate Moss; Soldier of Fortune and i-D magazine; disco strobe lights and studio flash units; “Blue Monday” and cross-processed Ektachrome; student recommendations and model portfolios.
My photography is linked to my life experiences, and my professional work with fashion models is connected to the pictures I take of animals and architecture. There are more similarities than differences, despite the disparate subject matter. I always try to tell the truth, one way or another.
