My Interest in Photography

When I was six years old, I held a camera for the first time. It was a Nikon handed to me by our family photographer, Natalie Carter Hyde. From that moment on I was hooked and now, fifteen years later, I am back at the point of inspiration, Aesthetic Images Photography.

My Interest in Photography

My interest in photography comes from a deep respect for history and stories. What draws me to portrait work is the chance to sit across from someone, hear where they’ve been, and capture who they are in a still image.

I really enjoy connecting and talking with people, finding out what they like, thier interests, and what makes them who they are. Most people step in front of a camera with some level of hesitation, so it is very important to me to be able to get whoever I am photographing to feel comfortable and at ease. There’s always an honest, unfiltered and natural moment underneath all the anxiety and discomfort—and that’s what I’m after every time I pick up the camera.

My Hobbies and Interests

Being the oldest of five shaped how I carry myself. I like competition, I like improving, and I like a challenge. Sports were where that started—especially soccer in high school— and now pickup basketball at the Y or pickleball.

Something I have been challenging myself with lately is learning how to play the guitar. Some of my favorite songs to play are Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson and Olivia by the Backseat lovers. Lately, I’ve been putting that same focus into learning guitar. Being able to play “Olivia” by The Backseat Lovers has been a solid milestone for me. Music-wise, I lean toward indie folk music, but it is definitely not uncommon for you to catch me listening to some classical symphonies.

I enjoy taking part in games that require strategy and patience, such as chess and risk. Ticket to Ride is one of my favorite family games to play.

I love to travel. Some favorite places I have been so far have to be Italy and the Vatican City.

My Inspirations

Outside of sports and music, I am fascinated by art and the history behind it all. I have found that there is so much you can learn from the artists of old and I find myself learning how to see what the original artist saw and picking up the small details that truly makes the image feel alive. One of my favorite paintings is Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez. The depth, the perspective, the small details, the stories. Everything is painted in such a way that one has to gaze at the painting for a significant amount of time to actually see all the hidden gems and details that Velazquez is trying to show us. And even then it might not be enough.

One of my favorite portraits that played a big role in my desire to be a portrait photographer is that of the Afghan Girl by Steve McCurry. The power behind the eyes and just the volumes that singular portrait spoke hit me hard. A great image is worth a thousand words, and that is the reason why I am a photographer. To tell your story in frame.