Familiar Roads

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
Lately, I’ve been working on some commercial projects for a local sustainable jewellery brand, True Connexion, using 35mm film, Polaroid, and Super 8; the focus was to use light and shadow to emphasise connection to self and others.

I'm also curating a new print series from my recent travels to the US and Europe. The series was taken in Hawaii, California, New York, and Iceland.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
In the modern day, with sharing platforms such as Instagram, I think it’s very easy to get caught in the trap of creating something because you feel the audience would approve. I want to unlearn these people-pleasing behaviours. True art comes from the artist. The audience comes last.

What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
I often feel anxious leading up to a commercial shoot. I place too much pressure on myself. But the beauty of the craft is that you never know what you’re going to create. I’m always needing to remind myself of this — to let go more. Moments present themselves, and photography allows me to make them permanent. The only choice becomes pure presence. Once I get started, all the nerves drift away.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
Absolutely. I recently watched a short film by YouTuber Jack Harries titled I Found The Perfect City. It’s a mini documentary on his experience in Copenhagen. After visiting Copenhagen late last year, it felt so beautiful to connect with the city again through someone else’s eyes. I felt incredibly inspired by this — how the raw documentation of an environment, shared alongside personal experience, can transport an individual. It feels so applicable to what I’m trying to achieve in my personal work.

I also recently discovered that my next-door neighbour, Mal, was sitting on a wealth of knowledge and photographic talent. We always waved to each other and said hello, but now we pass prints, magazines, and gear over the fence. Since his retirement, he’s been looking to dig his teeth into something again. It’s crazy how a small conversation can lead to an artistic awakening. I love that no matter the age gap or differing styles, we can all connect through imagery and art.

I’m so lucky to have many photographer friends who have been mentors to me. I feel like I’m always having conversations with them about ideas, style, gear, and process.

In terms of tangible media, a lot of my inspiration comes from older sources — media from before the digital age. I often find myself looking through vinyl covers at thrift stores or flicking through vintage Life and National Geographicmagazines. Sometimes I come across old family photos and Polaroids. There’s something about imagery that feels timeless that inspires me most. I think that’s why I’m drawn to physical mediums like film, Polaroid, and Super 8 — anything I can physically hold.

What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
Balance. Learning to balance my personal work and commercial work is my Achilles heel. Work is obviously important, but I feel most free when I’m creating without expectation. That being said, I’m so grateful to have people wanting to work with me. It’s a dream come true.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
If we’re talking worldwide, a mortadella toastie from Ole & Steen with an accompanying matcha from Blank Street in NYC would be my top recommendation. Sorry to complicate things. It’s all I can think of right now.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
I think the title would be Familiar Roads. Something feels right about where I’m at, even if the path doesn’t seem fully clear just yet. And Eddie Vedderwould make the soundtrack. I need that raw voice.

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
So many to name, but here are a few of my favourites. Joe Greer:
an incredible eye for fleeting moments. Joe’s work is truly timeless. I’m absolutely obsessed with his commercial and brand work as well. Vivian Maier: she is the definition of creating without expectation. Her eye for human emotion and imperfection is what inspires me above all. Finding Vivian Maier is an incredible documentary. I don’t want to spoil the story. Linus Johnson: he breaks all the unofficial rules of photography with his focus on mixed media. Using projection, Polaroids, film, and abstract lighting, he is a testament to what can be done when internal limits are removed. Jack FitzWilliam: he recently released a short film about his time in Kyrgyzstan called Tales from the Road. Similar to Jack Harries, I felt truly moved and transported.