After years spent behind the camera—a journey that feels like both a blink and a lifetime—I often find myself reflecting on why I pick up the lens in the first place. The answer, though simple, holds the weight of every frame I’ve ever captured: it’s for the people.
This space on my website is more than just a portfolio; it’s an archive of moments and a testament to the persistent, beautiful impulse to document the world around me. Over the years, the technical skills have sharpened, and the composition has evolved, but the core drive has remained constant: to tell a story with light and shadow.
The Intimacy of Portraiture
If there is one thread that runs through the thousands of images I’ve created, it is the profound, magnetic pull toward the human face and figure. I don’t just “take” pictures of people; I aim to witness and co-create an honest representation of their presence.
Shooting portraits—whether they are professional headshots, candid moments of community, or deeply personal editorial pieces—is an act of intimacy and trust. It requires a silent conversation, a mutual agreement to be present in the moment. I look for the vulnerability, the resilience, and the subtle gestures that define a person’s inner landscape. For me, a successful portrait isn’t one that just records a likeness, but one that feels like a shared breath. When a subject allows me into their space, I am given a gift, and my job is to preserve its essence with respect and clarity.
The Lens of a Queer Chicano Artist
Photography is never a neutral act; it is inherently a choice of perspective. My identity as a queer Chicano artist is not just a footnote to my work—it is the lens filter through which every project is conceived and executed.
Growing up within the richness and complexity of Chicano culture and navigating the world as a queer individual fundamentally shaped what I choose to see and amplify. My art is driven by a desire for visibility and nuance, aiming to counteract monolithic narratives by focusing on the beauty and strength of marginalized communities.
This perspective means:
- Seeking Authenticity: I gravitate toward subjects whose experiences mirror or illuminate the intersections of identity, ensuring they are seen not as symbols, but as complete, multifaceted human beings.
- Cultural Dialogue: My work often integrates elements of heritage, family, and tradition, creating a visual dialogue between the past and the contemporary experience.
- Celebrating Joy and Resistance: In the queer community, I look beyond the trauma narrative to capture the undeniable joy, the chosen family, and the quiet acts of resistance embedded in simply existing freely.
My identity isn’t just about what I am; it’s about what I contribute. It is about using the privilege of the platform to create images that resonate with those who have historically been relegated to the margins of the frame.
Moving Forward
Every click of the shutter adds to this cumulative vision. My years in photography have taught me that technical skill is the foundation, but genuine connection and a clear perspective are the architecture. I am excited to continue documenting the human story, filtered through the specific, vibrant, and intersectional experience that is mine.
Thank you for allowing me to share my journey. I invite you to explore the galleries and see how this vision translates into images.