A lot of my photography work comes out of my NDE. That is why I attempt to capture figures interacting with light, or with light emanating from the body, with black backgrounds.

 

My light tubes are a good example of this. At first I had no idea why I was compelled to explore this concept. My friend Ariel Linebaugh, was my muse for the past 3 years. Whenever I would get a crazy idea I would call Ariel and she would come over and we would work through it. One day, I looked at a light fixture and wondered how I could get the bulb to function without the fixture. I talked to my cousin who was a union electrician, and he said that if I took out the connectors, called tombstones, that I could get it to work safely. I did not get a good image from that first shoot, but some of the images resonated with me and I could see the direction I need to go. Even though I was up to my ears in school work, I pursued the concept, with dozens of photo and video shoots. Through the guidance of world renowned professor, Connie Imboden, the idea was crafted into my Masters Thesis.

 

Light Globes are similar to the light tubes, but they offer a higher degree of intimacy as the subjects interact with the light. 

 

Projection comes from a desire to distort and abstract the human form. Since the initial medical mistake I have had 3 surgeries in 3 years. I often feel distorted and abstract.

 

Similarly, my In-camera collage photos I distort and abstract the human form. These present a challenge because the camera does not want these photos to exist. I have learned how to trick the camera to allow them to be captured. They are currently what I am most excited about in my photography. Sometimes, I combine projection with this technique to make the images that resonate with me the most.