Originally from New Brunswick but now based in Vancouver, I shoot primarily in black and white, inspired by the interplay of light, shadow, and moments of sonder. With a background in fine arts, I prefer a minimalist approach to gear and process, currently working straight out of camera using custom Fujifilm film recipes. I see street photography as a form of quiet observation, hoping to capture fleeting moments that reveal worlds different from my own. I explore street, portraits, urban, abstract, architectural, and landscape scenes, treating photography as a daily practice and visual journal of what catches my attention.

1. What one piece of advice would you give street photographers just starting out?

   Enjoy the process and give yourself permission to experiment. Try new things and don’t put pressure on yourself to come home with a perfect shot every time. I’ve found that when I’m actively chasing a shot, the results are often disappointing. Instead, I try to always have my camera with me while I’m walking, listening to music, and simply being present. When I’m relaxed, a bit lost in my thoughts, those moments tend to be the most fruitful. Have fun with it, stay curious, and if you come away with a great shot, that’s the cherry on top. Also, invest in a really good pair of walking shoes!

2. What are your top two places in Vancouver for shooting and why?

   I tend to walk everywhere in Vancouver, and two areas I always find myself returning to are Mount Pleasant and Chinatown. Mount Pleasant feels like home. I’ve lived in and around the neighborhood for many years, and I love the familiarity and everyday moments it offers. Chinatown is a close second. I’m drawn to the old buildings, the textures, and the people. There are so many characters and layers in both areas. Often my walks take me from Mount Pleasant through Chinatown and then into downtown, which always makes for a rewarding route to shoot.

3. Which three street photographers have influenced your work the most?

   I take inspiration from a wide range of artists and photographers! To name a few:

   One of my favourite contemporary street photographers is Billy Dinh (@billydeee). He has an incredible eye for rich, layered compositions, often using muted, dreamy colour palettes that feel very cinematic.

   Lately, I’ve been going down a Vivian Maier rabbit hole. Her black and white street photography is remarkable, and the sheer scope of her work is mind blowing. She made over 150,000 photographs across five decades, yet her work was only discovered after her death, which adds an incredible layer of context to her images.

   I’m also a big fan of Paulie B, not only for his photography but for his Walkie Talkie YouTube series. Hearing photographers talk openly about why they do what they do, and what draws them to the medium, is endlessly inspiring. I would recommend giving the series a watch if you have not heard of it!

4. Describe your work using up to four keywords.

   I hope my work feels reflective, introspective, contemplative, and grounded in the idea of sonder.
   
   I actually love to think about the word/idea of Sonder when shooting. A relatively new word, coined in 2012 by John Koenig for his project, "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows", which aimed to invent words for emotions that lack names. “Sonder - The profound realization that every other individual one sees has a life as complex, vivid, and full of stories as your own, with their own worries, joys, and memories, even though you'll likely never know them”

5. Tell us about (up to 5) books, music or other art forms that influence your photography.

   I have a background in fine art and have always been drawn to painting. Much of my painting has been abstract, but even there I’m constantly thinking about balance, rhythm, and composition, which I believe indirectly informs how I approach photography.

   I’m also a big advocate for spending time with photo books or visiting galleries that showcase photography. Seeing a print outside of a digital space allows you to experience the work more slowly and intimately, and often reveals details that are easy to miss on a screen.

   As mentioned earlier, Vivian Maier has been a recent source of inspiration. I recently picked up "Vivian Maier: Street Photographer", which is an excellent book and one I keep returning to.

   A couple of other books that have influenced me include "Picture This: How Pictures Work" by Molly Bang, an insightful read that breaks down how we visually interpret images, and "The Artist’s Way" by Julia Cameron. While some parts feel a bit hokey, I really connected with its overall message and found many of the ideas around creativity and process genuinely helpful. I’d also recommend "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin, which explores similar themes and offers its own thoughtful insights.