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Who am I?

I joined the Marines at 17, serving primarily as a Technical Controller. My father gifted me his Canon AE-1 camera when I enlisted, sparking a lifelong passion for photography. During my service with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, Japan, I was fortunate to deploy across Asia, capturing photos and videos of my travels in Thailand, Bali (Indonesia), Singapore, Australia, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kuwait, and Japan.

My military career was cut short due to an injury sustained while on active duty, which left me a tetraplegic and reliant on a wheelchair. Despite only having use of my right arm, the Marines instilled in me the resilience to overcome and adapt. My passion for photography remained undiminished, and I continued to pursue it with renewed focus.

Now, at 46, I am channeling that passion into my studies, currently completing a Bachelor’s in Fine Art in Photography at UTSA. My journey is deeply intertwined with both my service and my art, and I remain committed to exploring and capturing the world through my lens, transforming challenges into opportunities for creative expression.

My Purpose

In 2018, my journey as a photographer took on a new dimension. It began with an exhilarating experience at EDC in Las Vegas, followed by an epic European tour where I followed Pearl Jam and Jack White. This adventure was particularly significant as it marked my first extensive travel across Europe in my wheelchair. Over the course of six weeks, I visited six countries and twelve cities, discovering a wealth of knowledge about accessible travel and the diverse ways music venues and festivals accommodate those with disabilities.

This journey deepened my appreciation for the intersection of accessibility and music. From Rock Werchter in Belgium to Mad Cool Fest in Spain, and from I-Days in Italy to Tomorrowland in Belgium, each festival offered unique insights into how different cities handle accessibility. My experiences at iconic venues such as Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, O2 Arena in London, Eventim Apollo in London, and L’Olympia Bruno Coquatrix in Paris highlighted both the progress made and the areas needing improvement in accessible design.

Since then, I’ve continued to explore my passion for music festivals in the USA, capturing the vibrancy of events like Bourbon and Beyond and Forecastle Fest in Louisville, Shaky Knees in Atlanta, CAL Jam and Ohana Fest in California, and my personal favorite, Austin City Limits in Austin, Texas. Through my photography, I aim to share these experiences and advocate for greater inclusivity. My work strives to capture the energy and excitement of live music while emphasizing the importance of accessible spaces. By showcasing the diverse ways in which cities and festivals accommodate those with disabilities, I hope to inspire positive change and encourage a more inclusive approach to event planning and venue design.

My Vision

My vision in photography is to illuminate the often-overlooked perspectives of those with disabilities, particularly within the vibrant world of music and live events. By capturing concerts and music festivals from the viewpoint of my wheelchair, I strive to reveal both the excitement of these events and the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. I believe that every experience should be accessible and inclusive, and my work aims to highlight the beauty and potential of these moments from a unique angle.

In addition to focusing on music venues, I am passionate about showcasing the accessibility of the cities that host these events. My goal is to create a visual narrative that not only celebrates the diversity of urban spaces but also advocates for greater inclusivity in design and accessibility. Through my photography, I seek to inspire change and promote a more equitable experience for everyone, ensuring that all individuals can fully engage with the world around them.

Whether through capturing the energy of a live performance, the candid moments of street life, or the intimate details of portraits, my work is driven by a commitment to both artistic expression and social impact. By blending my love for photography with my personal experiences and insights, I hope to offer a meaningful perspective that encourages dialogue and fosters greater understanding and accessibility in all aspects of life.