Memento Vivere

I think there’s a silent negotiation present when we make portraits, — it’s a dance of vulnerability, trust, and hopefully a shared understanding. Sometimes the experience is fleeting, other times the performance lingers. What unfolds in these instances of mutual observation and participation fascinates me. I love the nervous energy that exists at the begining of a sitting, how will this person react to me, what will they reveal and what’s hiding just beneath the surface. What will I reveal, what will I say? I never know, but navigating a session is always a challenge to be truely 100% present in that moment.

I don’t believe that there is one “true self” that can be captured in a portrait. What we present in front of the camera is often a very personal blend of aspirations, lived narratives and certain societal expectations that we live by. What we see in the resulting image is witness to the moment that was documented. Every portrait, no matter the camera, cicumstance or location, is a testament to the individuals portrayed and the shared moment that took place, So when someone says that I “captured” someone’s true self, or “I never photograph well, but I love this one” I think it just means that they were comfortable in that space, in that moment, sitting with me for that photo, and that makes me happy.

"Memento Vivere" invites us to pause and reflect on these connections. It challenges us to embrace a slower pace, both in the act of creating images and in our daily lives. What unfolds when we choose to be fully present, to listen intently, and to witness with empathy? I think we can uncover moments of extraordinary beauty and profound meaning in the seemingly ordinary?

Thanks for coming by, I’m so glad you’re here.