What made you want to become a photographer?
I’ve always loved art, and creating through drawing/painting. I’ve also always loved being outdoors. When I got my first nice camera, I felt like it gave me a whole new way of creating while being out in nature - I was hooked.
How and why are you using Lume Cubes in your work?
Before I started using Lume Cubes I had experimented with so many different kinds of lights to help light my night photos (flashlights, panels, flashes, lanterns, etc), and wasn’t totally satisfied with any of the devices I’d used. Once I got my hands on a Lume Cube all of that changed - I loved the versatility of them. How I could use it as a flash or continuous light, how I could swap out warming filters or color gels so easily, its portability, durable, waterproof, levels of brightness, and how I could control it with my phone. It just made sense to start using them. I mostly use them for night photography but also use them often for portraits.
Who are you inspired by?
I think what inspires me the most is nature itself.
If you weren’t a photographer? What would you be instead?
I’m not sure, something in the creative field though. I’m happiest when I’m able to create.
If you could only shoot with ONE lens-type for the rest of your life, which would it be? Fisheye, wide-angle, prime, zoom, macro, or a telephoto lens?
My Nikon 14-24 and 70-200 are my favorites for landscape. It’s a tough choice for me, but I’d go with my 14-24.
What is your go-to camera?
Any advice for new photographers?
Always be willing to learn and practice new skills so that you can continue to grow.
You have a true love for the mountains and the outdoors, have you always been that way?
Always! Growing up I loved hiking, camping, mountain biking, finding good spots for sunset watching, and stargazing. I’ve always felt more alive spending time out in nature than I have anywhere else; it’s a part of me.
What is the best part of your day?
Hitting the gym.
Coffee or tea?
Chai tea
What’s your favorite photo you’ve taken and why?
I don’t think I have an absolute favorite. A recent favorite though was last summer while backpacking in British Columbia. The major mountain on that trail had been covered in clouds the entire first day, and we were soaked from on and off rain showers. We decided though to hike an off-trail down to a waterfall that, if the clouds weren’t covering the mountain, there’d be an awesome view of the falls with the mountain right behind it. We arrived at the falls to find that the mountain was still covered, and it had started raining again, so we started exploring around the waterfall. After a few minutes though, we noticed that the clouds had started to part and the mountain was appearing and reappearing through fast-moving clouds. Then, as the sun started shining through, a rainbow became visible in front of the waterfall. It turned out to be an amazing few minutes - a waterfall with a rainbow, and a beautiful mountain. I definitely got more than I hoped for with that experience.
Where is the next place that you want to shoot with Lume Cubes at and how would you use the Cubes?
I’m excited to explore more of the southwest soon, and have a growing list of ideas to put my cubes to work!
Describe your photography style in 5 words.
I am a light seeker.
If you could go on an adventure-photography trip anywhere in the world with one other person… where would you go and who would you take (you don’t need to know the person… celebrities are fair game)?
I’d make my way through Europe, and would probably take my best friend!
What is one thing in the new year that you would like to learn and try?
I’d like to start experimenting more with macro; as well as using my drone to light paint with my cubes.
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