Be a traveler not a tourist. I have had the privilege to go and experience all walks of life from the bustling streets of New York to the quiet lifestyle of Cuba. Oftentimes people enter these spaces with their own lived experiences without taking into account the complexities of the people that inhabit them. I instead aimed to photograph these complex environments that act as a reflection of the people that inhabit them. The development of this artistic process also reflected the self-growth I experienced. Instead of being extroverted, I instead aimed to be more introverted, letting the photos come to me.
I consider myself an extrovert who is often the center of attention, but I am very different when I shoot photos. This is a skill I developed through this journey. I learned the art of taking photos while on the move. I was also able to enhance my editing style. Before, my edits were often oversaturated and basic. I saw this as progress rather than a bad thing. I then kept that textured and colorful editing style, but instead of making it so obvious, I made it less obvious and more powerful. This is clearly shown in my photo “Race down Madison” where my new editing technique is on full display. I have been able to showcase scenes I see through the color I choose to experiment with. This includes black and white which is included in my portfolio. I was also able to use the atmosphere around me to convey what I am trying to say, making the photos even more meaningful.