Falling In Love With Strangers, Friends & Spaces

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
Having just returned from an adventure around the States, there are currently more than 6 rolls of film in development – with the big scan reveal in a few days! What’s next for this project? A zine combining film photography, illustration, animation, collage, and (possibly for the first time) video.

In the spirit of stepping out of my comfort zone, I shot my first wedding alongside a photographer I admire, Antonio.

Lastly, what I consider to be a lifelong passion project of mine is the documentation and celebration of living/loving. From photos of my loved ones to strangers and scenes I observe on my travels, I couldn’t imagine a world where that no longer feeds my soul. I hope you enjoy this selection of film photos pulled from this ever-growing archive.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
I believe that no matter the medium, I learn new things about myself every time. You notice patterns, quirks, pressure points, and which methods of expression feel effortless. On darker days this can feel daunting, because to create authentically is to meet yourself fully.

The most common thread across all my projects lately has been to trust my intuition and remember that it is so, so important to never lose touch with "play". Experimenting more with collage has also helped me shake perfectionism.

What words, ideas, or emotions were running through your head?
Be open. Observe everything but be intentional about what you absorb. Since making my start in the industry, it has become essential to carve out time and energy to create things for myself. Follow the passion, have fun, there are no wrong turns, just self-discovery.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
Melt from Not For Radio, Don’t Be Dumb from A$AP Rocky and The Strokes shaped the soundtrack of my recent travels. Music is intrinsically linked to my creative process and I can’t wait to revisit these artists while I continue to flesh out this new project.

What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
Leaving space for the art that fulfils me. Preserving energy to create things outside of my profession. When deadlines pile up and life gets busy, it is easy to drift away from the things that keep me grounded and inspired. Burnout is real!

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
Bar Francinein West End. You can’t go wrong with a cozy, sexy, dimly lit wine bar in the company of friends or tangled by the table with your lover. Treat yourself to their braised octopus and scallops – you won’t be disappointed.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
Falling In Love With Strangers, Friends & Spaces– to me, that is the magic of being behind the lens. You look for beauty in the world. You seek to capture it. Seeing as they’ve been the soundtrack to my life over the last year, I couldn’t think of a better choice than The Marías.

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.
Marine Buffard: a master of illustration, animation, and tenderness. Her use of colour, gradient, and texture has always enchanted me.

Maria Medem: one of my biggest heroes and inspirations. Comic illustration has always claimed a special place in my heart from a young age, and Maria’s whimsical worlds are nothing short of pure magic.

Sissi Lu: one of my favourite photographers. There’s a warmth that radiates from her work, and you could say that she is a large contributor to how badly I want to add a medium format camera to my collection!