I scurry around my canvas—adjusting my focal point, stepping left and right while simultaneously trying to achieve the perfect angle and values—with my paintbrush, a Lumix G7 camera. Photography entered my world from a young age, when I would prompt my mom with sudden questions as she set up to take photos of my sister and me. What does that button do? Why does it make that click? Other kids my age expressed creativity in different ways: through music, dance, or drawing. Although I was intrigued by these forms of expression, I never felt the same level of proficiency or connection. I discovered photography, a form of creativity.
Cars—my obsession with them, sparked by Pixar’s Cars and the Fast and Furious franchise—drove my passion for photography. The culture surrounding cars, with its emphasis on creativity and individuality, inspired me to see the world through a different lens. I began to explore the world of car edits and photos, amazed at how professional-grade images were captured far beyond the capabilities of a smartphone. I was hooked. One Christmas, my mom asked me what I wanted: Tyler, The Creator concert tickets or a camera. At first, Tyler’s music was my top choice. But something about the idea of sharing my own photos with the world resonated with me. Despite the encouragement from my friend, who had introduced me to Tyler, I followed my gut and chose the camera. That decision sparked the beginning of my photographic journey—a journey that continues to shape how I see and interpret the world. Through my lens, I’ve found a unique way to express my creativity and share it with others, capturing moments that resonate with me and telling experiences developing me as a person.