Peacemaker Interview
- What does visual peacemaking mean to you?
Visual Peace is positivity. To me, it’s just the good in things. One of my biggest goals for a long time has just been to inject good news back into our daily routines. It doesn’t have to be something profound like fighting malaria or personal triumph in a war-torn country. It can be something as simple as a kid helping an older person with their groceries. Just remembering that we’re all human and we need to be humane to one another. My passion has long been to be a visual peacemaker in showcasing the lives of everyday people who have a story to tell. I want to give people an avenue to let their voices be seen.
- What motivates you to be a peacemaker?
Just watching the news usually. I don’t want to sound all deep, but the news can be very depressing. And it’s sad, because I enjoy the news. But it’s always “15 soldiers were killed today,” or “The terrorist threat remains strong.” It’s fine to report the news. It’s important. But I feel like there needs to be more. Where are the stories of the positive things happening amidst the wars? That is what motivates me. I want to bring to light the smiles and triumph of people not just living in the trenches, but living next door to each of us.
- Have you ever felt stereotyped?
I’m a strong believer in God our Savior. And with that, as with all proclamations of belief values, goes stereotypes. People assume that I just want to be a visual missionary, or that I want to carry some sort of cross across each continent. I’m not God. Nor, would I ever pretend to be. But I do believe that He called us all to be the salt and light of the world. To be a shining example of who He is. And while I’m sure I fail at that quite often (we all do), I believe that through my photography is an opportunity to use the talents He gave me to impact the world for the positive. We all feel stereotyped. The world wants to put each of us in our proper place on a shelf. We need to let the world know that it’s ok to be the way we are. There are good things to be discovered inside of us and shared.
- How does your camera get you to reflect on your world and your life?
The first time I got out of the American bubble, if you will, was in 2006. I went on a trip to Greece with a group from my college. I knew that it would change me, but I didn’t know how much. I credit that trip for giving me the passion to do something good with my photography. This passion increased just a few years ago on a trip to Kenya. Just seeing people appreciate what they have and give praise to God for being alive really makes you realize what you have. I appreciate every chance I get to be humbled. I know that God smiles when we look outside of ourselves, into the eyes of someone we’ve never met, and see Him through their life. Without my love of photography, I might have never gotten to experience it.
- What do you like to photograph best?
I love to photograph faces. Just people in their natural order of things. I enjoy following people around and catching them in a moment of peace and happiness. Or a moment that will strike you with emotion. If I could live out my days photographing as many people around the world as I could, I would be a happy man.
- What technical aspect of photography do you find most challenging?
The most challenging aspect is probably Photoshop. While I understand it just fine, I try not to do too much. I’m more of a photo realist. Too much adjusting and correcting borders on illustration to me. And that’s just not photography. It’s a different form.
- Is there a particular group you feel is misunderstood or stereotyped that you’d like to document common humanity amongst?
Man that is tough. I feel that all of us are misunderstood in our own way, but if I had to choose it would be the Amish community. Or immigrants. I’d love to do a photo story on preacher/missionary kids. What do the kids of missionaries do while their parents work in the field? I have a lot of ideas when I think about it. Just hoping for a chance to start with one.
- Do you have an idea worth sharing?
One idea I have would be to make Photography more of a community than what it’s become. I’d love to collaborate with multiple photographers on a project, because I feel that the more people you get behind a movement, the more likely it is to spread across nations. Imagine what visual peace can do if we all work together. I’m sure I’m not the only one with this idea, but I’d love to work with any of you. I’m only a short contact away from getting the ball rolling.
My Biography
I believe in the Global Good, and that everyone has a story to tell that can either be encouraging, reflective or impactful. Sometimes a combination of all. I believe in the power of an image’s story. I desire to help tell a story of everyday people around us at all times in a way that is creative and strong.
I began doing Photography over 10 years ago, and love to travel the world and the country as a photographer wanting to make a difference. However the size might be of that change. There are good things going on in the world, and I want people to have a chance to see it.
My Recent Activity
My Availability
I’m available any time, and specialize in portraiture, editorial and humanitarian photography. I can also guarantee someone who is down to earth and eager to work. Passion is what drives me, and my foot is always on the gas.
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