FAQs

What are your long-term artistic goals?

Growth. Always growth. If I haven’t already, I dream of creating work that actually reaches the viewers’ mind, and makes them think. About what? Honestly, I am indifferent so long as the work incites a new perspective or shift in a view of something not often considered. I like to make the viewer think. And think deep. No right answers, here. No wrong ones, either. 

Where do you find inspiration for your art?

Everywhere. Literally. From conversations with friends to news broadcasts, music, and even other artwork. My favorite inspiration is hard to explain because it requires multiple, vastly different sources of inspiration. It is when the meaning begins to recur, overlap, and coincide that the gears truly start turning.

How do you know when a piece is finished?

This is another question that is hard to answer exactly. There is almost this point of finality. Like a time when you come up from water and finally get to fill your lungs with fresh air. It is hard to describe. A point of finality, a final shape, an ideal form..?

What is your artistic process like? 

Each process is unique to each medium. I’m sure there is some abstraction of order of creation I could dream up, but that feels to me as though it would be ripping some of the soul out of the artwork. Like half a fingerprint. I almost always try to do everything “in one go” so as not to interrupt whatever “zone” I’m in. The best work comes from me being in an absolute state of flow. It’s almost as if if I was to start thinking about the creation, the creation would cease to be.

How do you price your work?

This matters greatly to me. There is some degree of standardization within the market: equations and the like. A lot of calculus and algebra. It’s honestly quite boring but from an economic standpoint offers a lot of freedom to both creator and patron. Art is an asset/security, granted not exactly a perfectly liquid one. I actually have resources and a separate FAQ on this topic under my website’s Resources tab. Bottom line/TL;DR:I price my work in a manner that reflects its scarcity, market availability, and the cost of materials plus a small cost for time. The ultimate goal is a happy patron, and a fed and housed artist. Fame and fortune is not what art is about.

How do you manage finances and diversify your income?

I always feel this question has no right answer. While I am always still studying market behaviors, trends, and good practices, it is still a semi-difficult answer. If you’re serious about art as an investment, I’d advise looking into different kinds of accountants who would be better suited to help you. At the end of the day, I’m really just an artist producing the assets, not necessarily someone well versed in using those assets to an advantage beyond surviving. I would suggest however a dedicated account for investing and “playing” with your assets. As both producer, collector, and even the consumer have many avenues of making extra money with their newly acquired assets. 

Who are your artistic influences?

Alfred Stieglitz, MC Escher, Marcel Duchamp, David Lynch, John Carpenter, Werner Herzog… it’s a long list all with different reasonings and logic behind the choices. I think Stieglitz and Duchamp (I guess Lynch, too) are probably closest to my core these days, as most of their work was transmedium, and ultimately act almost as conceptual information left to decipher. Snapshots of moments in time and headspace, captured in physical form to be reflected upon for however long it is deemed worthy or necessary.

What are the biggest challenges in your art career?

This may be oversharing, but I truly think most challenges the artist faces comes from within. Places of doubt, usually. I can only speak for myself but aside from the act of actually distributing art, the largest looming challenge has been myself.

How do you stay connected with the art world? 

I am always reading. Not necessarily always about the art world, but still. I try to frequent places where other artists and industry members congregate. This can be both physical and digital. I love galleries, conventions, fairs… y’know the old way. However, the internet has opened so many avenues of connection and interaction that I can almost not even begin to speak on it.

What is the power of art? 

Like most things, I think art only has as much power as you the viewer give it. Granted, people who really love art are more likely to take the time to view art from many perspectives transcending their own than the people who view art simply as an aesthetic pleasure. However, there is nothing wrong with that perspective. Sometimes I the artist wish I could go back to seeing art just as decoration. Even though that’s still what it is.

What is art, and can anyone be an artist?

I think there is an art to almost everything, including life itself. I firmly believe we all in our own time and space, find what we are meant to do. The art truly comes later. Or metaphysically, may never come at all? The art of life is found in its moments of clarity, peace, and understanding. I hope this explanation makes some sense. TL;DR: yes. Everyone already IS an artist.

Should art be meaningful or beautiful?

Why is it one or the other? Why does almost everyone think in a binary, or creation-forbid, trinary (but it’s a start) way of thinking. Why can’t all things be possible until proven otherwise? There is so much the human mind cannot grasp, see, or understand fully. (Yet?) The answer no matter what is ultimately self-evident.

From what age did you officially start producing art work?

“Official” is such a spooky word. I always loved art, for as long as I can remember. I don’t think I started making things I’d call “official artwork” until I was around 17. Even then, it didn’t “feel” official other than a few photography gigs I was lucky enough to score. Life took over quickly, and the art now started in 2019 just as an escape, a release. I still think it is that at its’ core. I’ve just become more regimented in regards to producing and marketing it.

What is your favorite piece that you’ve done, and what was the story behind it?

Probably, ironically, “My Suicide”. Instead of dying when things became all too much, I just decided to fragment into pieces. That’s why each studio art piece is one of a kind. It is solace, a refuge. Every. Single. Piece.

When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?

When I’m not writing, working, painting, designing, doing whatever I do, I like to just watch movies. I have a long list of favorites and who knows, maybe one day I’ll try my hand at writing about film and film theory. I digress, I also read, enjoy the outdoors and exercise, and am slowly becoming a car person. I’ve always loved to just drive free, but the relationship between a person and their car is so unique. Like people to people. I do game semi avidly, but not nearly like I used to. It is now a space of inspiration, relaxation, and reflection. When not working, I like to relax. You could say I just work and sleep.

What is your photography style? (e.g., editorial, candid, moody, vibrant)

I’m experienced in many kinds of styles of photography. In my personal work I like to stay true to the imagery I see with my eyes, though for candids and street work I like to add a touch of mood through purposeful retrograding to provide a faux-vintage look, with film emulation being a passion of mine. For consumer work, I tend to ask the subjects what they would prefer to receive.

Do you offer wedding/session packages?

I’d happily package together my services individually with each client as a means to best meet their needs and expectations, while providing high quality work.

How much of a deposit/retainer is required to secure the date?

This is dependent on season, location, and selection of date. Please get in contact with me to find out more.

What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?

Cancellations and rescheduling is not unexpected, and once again dependent on season, location, and date.

How long until I receive my photos?

I like to get photos completed within the week of the photographing session, and a client can expect them anywhere within 7 days of their session.

How many images will I receive?

This is something to be discussed during booking, however I tend to try to give all completed and “good” images from a session (this includes candids, “between takes”, and test photos).

Do I get the digital files and the right to print them?

You will always receive in writing permission to print all photos in addition to the digital files. I do not supply the raw photographs unless discussed and agreed upon prior to the session.

Do you offer engagement sessions or second shooters?

While I currently shoot solo, I may be capable of finding and contracting a secondary photographer, though styling may be distinct between me and the prospective second shooter.

I will happily shoot an engagement.

What happens if the weather is bad? (For outdoor sessions)

If the weather is deemed too poor to shoot in, a rescheduling will be discussed free of additional charge. We can’t control the weather, unlike most other aspects of sessions.

What should we wear to our session?

Whatever you like! We will likely discuss this during our initial meeting to plan the shoot.

What is your policy on illness? (Rescheduling options)

Once again, as with the weather, we may reschedule. Multiple reschedulings may or may not be permitted depending on severity of illness.

What is the best time of day for the session?

This depends! It’s all about the look and aesthetic we are going for as a photographer and subject. We will discuss this in our first meeting.

Can I bring props or pets?

As long as the pet (and use of props) is safe and well trained, of course! We can discuss this during planning.