What initially sparked your interest in photography, and how did you develop your unique style over time?
For as long as I can remember, I've always been drawn to photography & art. When I was just a kid, I collected National Geographic Magazines while everyone else my age collected baseball cards and sports posters. To say I was a bit of an outcast is an understatement.
I picked up my first camera at a very young age (which was a cheap disposable for maybe $5) and it immediately sparked an interest. I've always considered photography to be a hobby of mine until just a few years ago where I made the decision to really put everything into my art.
At first, I was focusing on street photography, landscapes, portraits, etc. but felt I was holding myself back. I wanted to have full control over my vision as well as the final result so I began exploring digital collages where I could have full control over every portion of the image.
I think that's what makes my art work for me - It's almost as if I'm starting with nothing but an idea and a blank canvas. The rest is up to me to capture and build.
How has your personal surroundings influenced your artistic vision and the subjects you choose to photograph?
I live in Buffalo, NY where it's overcast and bleak 300 days out of the year. My use of bright colors and clear blue skies are certainly a result of seasonal depression.
Buffalo is also a blue collar town that was once driven by steel plants and factories that have now been abandoned for decades. A lot of my images paint a satirical version of this where I aim to turn the grittiness into something luxurious.
Pop culture and cinematic styles are cited as influences in your work. Can you discuss how these influences manifest in your photography and how they contribute to the overall narrative of your images?
I've always been a fan of pop art and take a lot of inspiration from Andy Warhol & David Hockney. I think that's the best thing about digital creation, I can be inspired by just about anything or any type of art and implement it into reality. When tying that into current pop culture references and various cinematic styles, it leads to something a bit unique and not something you're used to seeing, yet, somehow it still feels familiar.
Another style I'm inspired by is that of Wes Anderson - Almost all of my pieces have the same symmetrical feel while using the rule of thirds to divide the background material on either side of the frame. The thing about Wes Anderson is when you see any part of his film or a still, you know right away it's Wes Anderson. I think that's something that any artist strives to achieve.
The concept of "place" seems to play a significant role in your photography, whether it's your hometown of Buffalo or locations from around the globe. How do you approach capturing the essence of a place in your photographs, and what significance do these locations hold for you personally?
For me, the place sets the mood for any image I put together. Whether it's a barren landscape or an urban city skyline, the setting will always collaborate with my subject matter. It goes back to having full control over my process and what works best with what I'm trying to convey. Sometimes I'll prefer to use negative spacing between the context and background where an empty desert setting may work best and for the opposite, a neon sign blending in agaisn't the lights of a busy street or highway may be more desirable.
Many of your photographs incorporate digital manipulation. How do you balance maintaining the authenticity of the original scene while enhancing its visual impact through editing?
I rely on editing as a tool as all pieces of my scenes are real photographs put together to generate a final image. While the original version may defer quite a bit I think the authenticity lies within the subject itself.
My goal has always been to encourage a second glance at the mundaneness of everyday life. A building or place that you walk or drive by daily, without ever noticing? Those are the subjects I love to highlight.
Looking ahead, what future projects or artistic endeavors are you excited to explore, and how do you envision your photography evolving in the years to come?
I've never been one to get too comfortable in one spot so I'm looking forward to exploring more studio work and implementing new styles completely. While I might not know what that looks like right now, you can always expect the same level of color and weirdness.
February 15, 2024
