1. How did you first get into photography, and what drew you to it as a creative outlet?

It's hard to pinpoint a single moment but growing up in the 90s, disposable cameras were everywhere and I remember always having at least 4 with me on every family vacation I went on. I would mostly blow through all shots in a single day and kept wanting to take more to the point where I had hundreds of blurry out of focus prints laying around the house.

As I got older, I really felt drawn with the personal connection. Art in all forms is the greatest expression of self intimacy and honesty you can find and it's something that you'll always have full control over.

2. Can you walk us through your creative process, from spotting a location to finalizing a piece?

A lot of my images have become completely spontaneous and some of my favorite pieces have been taken from my car window when driving aimlessly or just an image that's been sitting in my library untouched that I originally thought was boring. I've learned that when I try to force the process, it just doesn't work.

Most of the time, especially recently, I'll have an idea of the mood or maybe even a few lines of text planned and I'll go out to see if anything catches my eye. It's a hit or miss process and a lot of times, I won't know if something I shot will work until I get into the editing process.

There have been many times where a classic "perfect shot" with amazing lighting, subject matter, etc. just doesn't line up with the idea and look that's in my head. I've never been one to focus on perfection as I love incorporating mistakes in my final pieces - Everything from focus issues, noise, and harsh lighting gives me a challenge to work with and to me it almost creates a sense of nostalgia in the end.

3. Your photographs often include playful and unexpected elements, like neon signs or luxury brand names in unexpected settings. How do you decide which details to add?

I love photos that tell a story and take on bold subject matter - Some of my favorite photographers have been known to push the limit and stir things up with their image and I love that. Photography doesn't need to be safe and I'm constantly inspired by that.

Luxury in itself is the state of great comfort and extravagant living - but what if I turned that into something that has almost no sense of value? Something that doesn't have to be unobtainable. In an age where we are constantly seeing how the other half lives on Social Media, I think it's pretty funny to see these iconic brands on something like a run down trailer in a desert landscape or an abandoned strip mall that you'd never see in real life.

For the neon signs, my goal is to provoke a sense of nostalgia, sarcasm, and even humor through a familiar scene that's rarely out of reach for the viewer - the mundaneness of everyday life becomes relatable to us all.

4. Do you typically plan your images in advance, or do you let the environment and mood guide you in the moment?

My images rely heavily on my current mood and environment and I've learned that planning in advance never has the same result of a spontaneous shot. I think there is something a little more authentic when creating something on-the-go. Every now and then, the environment, mood, and image all fall into place to create something I may not have even intended to do. I just accept the unpredictability at this point!

5. Palm Springs plays a big role in your latest works. What is it about that setting that speaks to you creatively?

I've had a few opportunities to shoot in Palm Springs this year already and I call it the oasis for art and photography. Between the desert mountains, mid century architecture and classic cars, it's been an endless outlet of creativity for me.

There are few places left in the US that still hold that surreal / retro aesthetic untouched by modern development and chain hotels. Palm Springs still has that minimal elegance that just so happens to translate so well through photography and film.

6. How do color and light factor into your storytelling, and what role do they play in creating a mood?

My earlier pieces were definitely battling harsh lighting conditions and I've had to learn to embrace it and work them into my artwork through deep color, light shadows, and slightly overexposing.

As I started printing and seeing my work on paper - I've really focused on artistic lighting and shadows which has been a learning curve for me but something I think really adds to an image to create a mood that fits. It's helped me pay attention to minor details that I used to overlook completely and now I find myself constantly noticing how light interacts with the environment. When working with the neon text, I want to make sure I'm recreating realistic lighting while also incorporating that hazy glow and reflecting light on any nearby surface.

7. Your work blends photography with a painterly, almost cinematic quality. Are there any non-photography influences, like films, art movements, or music, that inspire you?

I'm heavily influenced by films that emphasize mood, emotion, and atmosphere over traditional storytelling. Anything from Wong Kar-wai stands out when it comes to lighting and language and then of course, Wes Anderson (for obvious reasons).

For me, film and photography have been the only mediums to provoke the strongest form of emotion and escapism.

8. If you could shoot anywhere in the world, no budget or restrictions, where would it be and why?

As an avid traveler, I've thought about this a lot recently and I think I would trade both in just to have that 'creative spark' at any given time - Creativity is one of the weirdest, most incomprehensible forms of thought and it's not something I can ever force. Every other month or even week I'll find myself in a rut that seems never ending but then it's always followed by a short burst that I have limited time to take advantage of.

If I could photograph the most extravagant setting with unlimited access to funds but with no creative drive or vision -- or -- set out just wherever I happen to be at the time with that drive behind me and create something that flows naturally, I'm likely going to choose the latter.

9. What’s next for you? Any dream projects or new directions you’re excited to explore?

I'm always learning new techniques and hope to explore more studio work and projects that don't always rely on text or luxury to tell a story. I think that's photography at its truest form - A single image that tells a story on its own without any outside influence.