About me

I’m not sure if it stemmed from a fear of forgetting the past or a need to preserve the present, but I’ve always loved the art of documenting. Journals, diaries, lists, drawings, school reports, old pennies, concert stubs, and, of course, photos – my life has been a series of gathering stuff and then trying to figure out what to do with all of it.

Both of my parents were avid photographers. Neither made money from it. They photographed for the love of it, often using me and my sisters as subjects – and sometimes even letting me use their cameras. My mom even converted a basement bathroom into a darkroom at one point. I still remember what it smelled like (bad but also nice?).

This love of photography must have run in the genes; I was the kid who brought an automatic film camera (just slightly before the age of smartphones) on my 5th grade field trip to Philadelphia, my 6th grade weekend trip to Frost Valley, and every other vacation, event, and performance I can remember.

Headshots started organically. In 2005, I got involved with UCB Theatre and found myself photographing more shows than performing in them. Using my point-and-shoot inside a dark theater was a nightmare, so I bought a DSLR from a friend. Hoping to better capture the fleeting world of improv, I began shooting shows regularly. Performers saw me with a camera, started asking me for headshots, and here we are.

In the beginning, I never thought of doing this as a career. Never thought about a photography “business.” Never designed a logo. I still haven’t. But I have fallen in love with documenting people as they are, right now, and helping them not only land roles and jobs, but feel great about themselves.

I like to think of it as my small way of contributing to the world.

Fun facts!

• I’m an avid runner who will talk your ear off (only if you want) about tempo workouts, the Central Park loop, marathon training, and which Saucony model is best for long runs.

• I’m a member of, and self-proclaimed official photographer for, the New York Harriers. I also write all of their Instagram captions.

• I’ve studied Welsh on Duolingo since September 2016 and can say sentences like “Owen bought parsnips at the large supermarket in the center of town last week.” This is very useful for me, a person living in New York City.

• I’m obsessed with family tree research. I’ve discovered that two of my great-great-great grandfathers (one mom’s side, one dad’s side) fought in the Civil War. One made it out alive, one didn’t.

• The following are a few photos of two of the best humans who ever lived.