One of my greatest joys in life is observing and photographing birds. I highly encourage you to take time to slow down and observe the birds around you. You might quickly find yourself learning firsthand that hummingbirds are fierce, crows are curious, and Steller’s jays are incredibly sassy.

There’s something about the simplicity of black and white photography that allows the subject to truly shine through. Whether it be the ocean, birds, or other landscapes, there is something so serene and beautiful to be found in the monochrome imagery.

There's nothing like taking a peaceful walk through the woods, or taking in the views of a favorite waterfall.

Sometimes we overlook the wonders around us by allowing ourselves to be a casual observer. I aim to be intentional, and often find myself photographing things from a different perspective than most.

(This is also how I found myself photographing backyard birds through our dog door. It was uncomfortable, but effective.)

For me, photography is therapeutic, a reminder of beauty that exists around us even when life feels difficult. On days I find myself home due to issues with my trigeminal neuralgia, I still have a desire to create and capture art with my camera. My abstract photos represent those moments. All of these photos are just that, photos. No editing tricks, just innovation to fight off stagnation.