About
young photographer, raised in syracuse, new york
currently resides in brooklyn, new york
Education
2010 - BFA in Photography from School of Visual Arts, New York, NY.
Exhibition
2010 - cmj30, pjs exhibitions, october
2010 - senior show, school of visual arts, may
2010 - mentors, visual arts gallery, march
2008 - whiskey instead of water, school of visual arts, april
2007 - foundation show, school of visual arts, april
Statement
I was first introduced to live music concerts by an older friend who took me under her wing in the beginning of my teens. The concept of listening to music as a hobby was new to me, but I was soon swept up in the excitement of searching for and discovering new music that I wouldn't find on the radio, then driving out to Syracuse to see these bands play when they came through on tour. I managed to attend sometimes as many as three shows a week, ranging from hardcore shows in basements and warehouses (or wherever anyone would let them play) to singer-songwriter performances in tiny coffee shops. I took my camera along to document this powerful environment that totally captivated me from day one.
I am drawn to photographing loud, fast and aggressive bands with the intention of capturing their enthusiasm and angst. The intensity of the music is matched by the saturation of color and hyper, glaring light in my photographs. I focus on the charged atmosphere and choose to shoot moments based on emotion and luminosity. I maintain this vigor whether I am photographing famous artists such as Incubus, Jay-Z and Every Time I Die, or lesser-known musicians like The Narrative and The Scarlet Ending.
Since beginning to explore my interest in rock 'n roll photography, I have relied on the artistry of others. I am as equally enthralled by the verve of the lighting designers as I am by the musicians' performances. My photographs are driven by the energy of the performers, the adrenaline of their fans, and the professionalism of the people behind the scenes. When I moved to New York City, I began working at various venues in order to gain access and more involvement in the music industry. With this job, I am fortunate enough to have endless opportunities to practice my art.