This theme was photographed in downtown Willmar, Minnesota . From the very beginning, I knew I wanted this theme to challenge me. I wanted to explore new locations I’d never shot at beore, push myself visually, and create an apocalyptic storyline. This theme wasn’t just about the costume or the makeup but about building a full environment that made you feel  the story but in a more editorial artistic way. One thing that makes this session special to me is that the model had no idea what the final look was going to be until the day of the shoot. She was one of the few people who expressed interest in a concept and was fully willing to trust me with the creative direction. All she knew going into it was what she would be wearing and a brief storyline for the session. But the makeup and overall transformation were a complete surprise. That level of trust is rare, and it says so much about her openness and willingness to step outside of her comfort zone. Check out the model's priceless reaction in this BTS clip. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Ptyq9P/   We started in full sun, tucked between random train trailers that bounced unexpected colors across the model’s skin. Normally I would move someone away from color casts like that, but something about the scene felt right. So I fully embraced this tedious editing challenge. From there, we made our way into downtown Willmar, stopping at places along the way I’ve always dreamed of shooting at. The architecture, the textures, and abandoned buildings. Our model wore a yellow hazmat suit, we could’ve chosen white, but the yellow was absolutely the right call. It popped against every backdrop, making her look like a living warning sign you can’t ignore. The storyline behind the photos centers around a rapidly spreading infection: a world completely abandoned, streets silent, no one coming to save you. Whatever this thing is, it changes everything it touches. An editorial apocalypse, exactly the vibe I wanted. Makeup for this theme was created by Jessi B Artistry . Stay tuned for Theme #3. It's so beautiful!

Willmar, Minnesota Based Creative Halloween Photography Series Every year, I challenge myself to create something original, but this project took things to a whole new level. I brought 31 unique Halloween themes to life, shot well over 10,000+ photos, collaborated with one incredible makeup artist, and worked with 25 amazing models, all while crafting countless props, building custom setups, and pouring nearly almost two years of planning into this series alone. Insane! It required an intense amount of time, energy, money, and stress, but it also became one of the greatest opportunities for me to grow as an artist. Each concept pushed me out of my comfort zone. I experimented, built DIY creations, tried new ideas, made mistakes, and kept going with confidence because I believe deeply in what I do. With every session, I felt more inspired and more connected to my work. I hope you enjoy looking through my photos for my 31 Days of Halloween Series. This theme was photographed right inside my apartment in Willmar, Minnesota, this session officially launched Day One of my 31 Days of Halloween. The Concept? A Visual That Evokes Discomfort The idea behind this Halloween look was simple, yet daring: Could we create something that was both uncomfortable and intriguing at the same time? I was inspired for years by memorable images of ripped pantyhose stretched over people's faces, thick globs of lipstick, and chaotic splashes of colorful makeup. For Day One of my series, I set out to create my own interpretation. Something intentionally unsettling, visually striking, and impossible to forget. The Model’s Arrival. They Had Zero Clue About What Was Coming... Our model arrived wearing a simple nude bodysuit, having absolutely no idea what theme was waiting for them. This session was designed as a “surprise concept,” and they were the only person brave enough to trust me fully with this idea. Check out this BTS of the models reaction, it is priceless! https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8PtXdmF/   Thanks to Jessi B Artistry , the makeup came together flawlessly. Messy yet intentional, chaotic yet artistic. Unsettling, Bold, and Beautiful What unfolded in my apartment studio in Willmar was everything I hoped for. A look that was visually appealing, expressive, and just uncomfortable enough to make you sit with your feelings for a moment and think about what exactly are you looking at!? This style was heavily inspired by the works from Kabuki Makeup & Hair School , whose images first sparked this entire idea. Their boldness gave me permission to push my own creative limits. This photoshoot in Willmar, Minnesota, marks only the beginning of my 31 Days of Halloween series. My hope with each concept is to inspire viewers to embrace art that challenges, disturbs, excites, and moves them. Each theme will unveil a new emotion, a new character, and a new world to explore. Stay tuned for Theme #2...because this is just the start.

Golden Hour Medusa: A Beachside Halloween Photoshoot at Robbins Island There’s something magical about photographing during golden hour, especially when the theme was as fun and mythical as Medusa ! This Medusa inspired Halloween look turned into one of the most beautiful sessions. We shot at Robbins Island in Willmar, Minnesota , and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The soft glow of the sunset wrapped everything in this perfct warm light, enhancing all the gold accents that brought this entire concept to life for me. At one point, the whole sky and the sun turned red, which was absolutely wild to witness over the lake. Editing that part? A little tricky , if I’m being honest. But such a fun challenge and made it unique. To elevate our Medusa character, I spray painted rubber snakes gold that I got off Amazon and used them throughout our session. Woven into her crown and added as props that felt like an extension of her aura. I also found a flexible gold snake necklace that could be shaped in any direction, which added a fun element to play with while shooting. As she posed with her golden snakes, the full essence of Medusa came alive! Makeup & Hair: Jessi B Artistry

A Tale of Two Faces. A Sunrise Halloween Witch Themed Photoshoot Downtown Willmar, MN At sunrise we conjured up something truly one of a kind. A witch, but not the kind you’d expect. There's a twist. This session was all about challenging the norms of what a witch could  look like for a Halloween concept. Pushing past clichés and exploring a new kind of witch... Instead of the usual dark forest our witch stood tall against the urban backdrop of the city, creating a striking contrast that instantly set this witch apart from others I have seen. With a broom in hand, a wand at the ready, and a hint of tribal inspired makeup enhancing her presence, she stepped into her power. To build the atmosphere even further, I brought real animal bones and arranged them around an Ouija board scarf, giving the scene an authentic otherworldly feel. But this was no ordinary witch. After casting her spell, the REAL transformation began... She kept the same outfit and the same makeup underneath, yet stepped into a completely new aura. The addition of a Dr. Plague mask, a cane, and a lantern shifted the entire mood. Darker, deeper, more mysterious. The iconic beaked mask, often associated with historical Plague Doctors, wasn’t created for theatrics. It was originally designed to ward off “miasma” or “bad air,” believed at the time to carry disease. Wearing it symbolized both fear and hope during an era of uncertainty and darkness. Bringing that symbolism into a Halloween shoot added a layer of history and depth to our character’s evolution. Makeup by Jessi B Artistry

Vintage Glam with a Zombie Twist. The incredible Liesl Dols from Bombshells & Brows Salon and Microblading in Willmar, she brought her own makeup skills and pinup expertise to the set, creating a zombie look that was simply * chef’s kiss. * Not only did Liesl apply her own makeup, but she also styled her hair in classic victory rolls and paired everything with bold red lips, making the entire look pop! But the real showstopper? The vibrant green makeup. She trusted my suggestion to go all out with a bold, playful green, turning the classic pinup aesthetic into a sexy, fun zombie twist. A big shoutout to Jessi B Artistry for the makeup inspiration, it really elevated the concept. It was so bold and unexpected, and added such a fun twist to the whole shoot. My concept behind this theme was a zombie girl who’s just finished… well, taking care of her boyfriend’s body and wanting to look cute while doing it. Maybe that’s twisted, sure, but I wanted it to be playful yet kinda sexy. This vintage glam zombie look is one I’ll never forget! What do you think? Makeup & Hair: Liesl Dols at Bombshells & Brows Salon and Microblading Special Thanks for Concept Inspiration: Jessi B Artistry

While Minnesota is home, I love collaborating with people all over who want to explore something different when it comes to portraits. Especially when it comes to fantasy, storytelling, and stepping outside of comfort zones. This Mermaid Siren session came together after a proessional model reached out wanting to expand her portfolio. From what I saw, most of her past work consisted of more traditional headshot portraits, and she shared that she really wanted to try something more creative, something that challenged her and allowed her to explore a new side of herself. That alone made me excited to collaborate. I’ve explored the darker, eerie side of the mermaid siren in the past, but this time I wanted to shift gears completely. Instead of leaning into the haunting or unsettling, I wanted to focus on the Siren's captivating beauty. Still powerful, still otherworldly, but softer and more enchanting. I knew going into this that I wanted to go above and beyond, incorporating prosthetics, a mermaid tail, and more experimentation. Makeup artist Jess Bonnema of Jessi B Artistry , based in Minneapolis, Minnesota , collaborated with me on this session. As we began sourcing materials, I invested in movie-quality prosthetics from Carnimals and Mud SFX, both found on Etsy which we used on the models face. At that point, I realized pretty quickly that this theme was going to demand a much bigger budget than originally planned. Instead of purchasing additional mermaid scale prosthetics for her body, I pivoted and used scale looking tattoos from Mermaid Tats , which ended up being a great budget friendly alternative. Since I had already committed to high-quality prosthetics, I decided I was okay putting in extra Photoshop work to help elevate other elements. I purchased a mermaid tail from Fin Fun Mermaid Tails , intentionally choosing one that matched the darker blue tones I wanted in the makeup and overall color palette. Once the model was confirmed and I knew her size, I sent her several wardrobe options at different price points so she could choose what felt right for her. She ended up purchasing a shell style mermaid top. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure how the bright white shells and top were going to look against the colorful makeup and tail. (Especially since I didn’t see it on her until the day of the shoot!) But once everything came together, it worked beautifully. We applied makeup over the prosthetics to help blend them further into the skin. While it did require quite a bit of editing to clean up where the prosthetics met the skin, the quality difference between these and cheaper options was night and day . If you’re ever bringing a fantasy or Halloween look to life, I highly recommend investing in quality materials, it truly shows and it easier to work with. This was also Jess’s first time ever applying prosthetics , which added another layer of trial and error to the day. But honestly, that’s part of the beauty of art. We both work well under pressure, and there’s something really special about figuring things out in real time and trusting the process. Before the model was fully styled, my brain was already spinning with other ideas! I pulled out an old crown, elf ears, and some vintage fishnet material. In my previous mermaid siren session, the fishnet was just a prop, but this time, I wanted to turn it into a shawl. I ended up super-gluing shells I’ve collected over the years onto it, finally giving them a purpose. I love DIYing and going in without a plan and letting something evolve naturally. That part of the session makes me especially proud. Not just as a photographer, but as a creative. Using my hands, building something from scratch, and being able to say " I made that" hits differently. I also really wanted to incorporate webbing or fin-like gloves for her hands. Unfortunately, everything I found looked too cheap or the colors didn’t quite match, and at the time this session was photographed, AI and advanced editing tools weren’t what they are today. I didn’t want to risk the look falling apart in post production . I did try professional swimmer finger gloves meant to help people swim faster. They came in black and were… painfully tight. Like, break your fingers off tight. I’m pretty sure I accidentally ordered children’s sizes. The model couldn’t even get them on, and I didn’t want her breaking a nail, so we pivoted...again. We tried creating a webbing effect by gluing holographic film to her palms using eyelash glue. If you’ve ever been on a beach, you can probably imagine how sand and water reacted to that idea. It didn’t last long, and eventually we scrapped it entirely. And you know what? That’s okay. I’m still incredibly proud of these images. If I hadn’t told you that story, you never would’ve known something was “missing.” That alone is a reminder not to be so hard on yourself when things don’t go according to plan. Most of the time, those hiccups are completely insignificant in the final result.

This theme was heavily inspired by vintage fashion and aesthetics, something you’ll notice woven throughout many of my other Halloween concepts and creative sessions over the years. Vintage makeup, hair, clothing, and trinkets have always influenced my work, and honestly, my life. Even the way I decorate my home is inspired by different eras. That love I have naturally finds its way into my photography. Originally, the vision for this shoot looked a little different. I had imagined red body paint, long dark hair, and subtle devil horn clips. But if you’ve followed my work, you may recognize that we’ve already experimented with body paint in previous themes. (The Zombie and Cupid session.) I wanted this concept to evolve into something different. That’s when I came across thee piece... I found a vintage leather devil-horned bonnet on Etsy from the seller Mess Around , and the moment I saw it, I knew I had to get it no matter how much money it was. It just stood out. Once it was on the model, it completely transformed the vision I originally had. More bold, powerful, and demanded attention. From that point on, the makeup had to meet that same intensity. We tossed around a lot of ideas, but on the day of the shoot, makeup artist Jess Bonnema, AKA Jessi B Artistry (based in Minneapolis, Minnesota) suggested a drag inspired makeup look. Bold eyes. Strong brows. Dramatic contrast. I already knew I wanted black eyebrows, heavy black eyeliner, and black lips, and Jess absolutely blew me away. The final makeup paired with the bonnet felt unstoppable. Together, they fully embodied the devilish energy I was chasing. This is one of those moments where trusting the process, and your gut, matters. Letting a vision evolve in real time is what being a creative is all about. That’s how your work becomes uniquely yours. One of my favorite behind-the-scenes moments from this session actually came from a small hiccup. The devil staff was supposed to arrive fully black with a red top, but thanks to Amazon, only the head showed up!? When I don’t know what to do, I call my dad. LOL! He suggested grabbing plastic piping from a hardware store and super gluing it together which he helped with. And honestly? It worked perfectly! The staff ended up tall, this exaggerated, dramatic, almost silly in the best way possible. And with how tall the model is, that extra length felt right. Over the top yet playful. It complemented out devil character beautifully. We experimented with both red and white backdrops, but the red background completely stole my heart. It tied everything together and amplified the intensity of the look.

I’ve photographed weddings at Stacy’s Nursery & Floral before, but this time was a total 180. Located in Willmar, Minnesota, Stacy’s has always been one of those go to greenhouses for all your flower and Christmas tree needs. So lush, green, and full plants. A literal dream! I’m constantly inspired by fun not traditional locations to have sessions, and this greenhouse has been calling me back for years. I knew I wanted to return, but not for a wedding day, but to push my creativity further in the very same space. Before letting myself get too excited, I reached out to the owner to ask if I could create something more editorial there. To my absolute surprise, they said yes.  That alone already made this shoot feel special. From the beginning, my vision was soft, whimsical, and feminine. I wanted something that felt like it emerged straight from nature itself. A delicate fairy amongst flowers and plants. But as with many creative projects, not everything went exactly as planned. The original model for this theme had purchased a dress specifically for the shoot. Sadly, it didn’t end up working out, but in the kindest, most generous gesture, she offered to let me keep the dress for the next person. Considering how specific and pricey the piece was, that meant more than she probably realized. When the final model tried it on, the dress was a bit snug in the bust, but honestly? I think she pulled it off beautifully. There was something undeniably powerful and sensual about the openness of it. Her confidence shine through in each photo.  What still makes me laugh is how I had a last minute editing idea for these series of photos. I mean, had over a year to execute this idea, yet it wasn’t until I was literally about to post this theme on social media and something clicked. That familiar gut feeling hit, the one that says, “Do it now, or you’ll regret it later...” Even though it added a bit of stress (okay, a lot), I trusted it. And I’m so glad I did. At the very last moment, I decided to add sparkles to certain images. Only the ones that felt like they needed just a little something extra. I wanted to lean fully into the fairy fantasy. Those subtle overlays transformed the images in a way I had hoped for. Some photos include 1, 2, or even 3 different sparkle textures layered together in Photoshop, creating depth and movement without overpowering the model or story I was going for. Side by side, the originals felt plain to me, but with the sparkles, the images came alive! More magic. I even ran a poll on social media asking if people thought the sparkles were a good call. The answers were either “yes, I love it” or “it’s a little extra,” and honestly, I loved that a few people did click “extra,”  it made me smile, because I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being extra when it serves the story. If anything, this shoot reminded me why I’m grateful I went to school for photography at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota and learned how to bring visions like this to life exactly how I see them. To complete the look, I found the most stunning, handcrafted fairy wings from Fairy Wingdom, an Etsy seller. They created the wings with so much care and intention. I also discovered a handmade crown by Tetra’s Treasures, another Etsy seller, that felt like it was made for this exact moment! It even included tiny fairy wings woven into the design.  The crazy part? The colors of the wings and crown matched the dress perfectly, and none of it was planned. It felt like one of those moments where the universe was on your side. From the beautiful flowers inside Stacy’s Nursery greenhouse, to the delicate sparkles, and handmade details, everything aligned. A soft, colorful fairy emerged from nature, exactly as she was meant to. This shoot was dreamy, intuitive, a little chaotic with my last minute editing decision, but all completely worth it

How One Couple Chose Remembrance Before Saying “I Do” Starting the Day in a Place That Matters As A Midwest Wedding Photographer at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar, Minnesota In the town  Willmar, Minnesota ,  Fairview Cemetery  offered a touching start to Nadia and Philip’s wedding day. With tall trees and a peaceful energy, it is the kind of location where memories are everywhere which felt sacred on this day. This wasn’t just a quick stop, it was a meaningful pause to visit someone who mattered deeply: Nadia’s father. An Intimate Moment of Remembrance Before the ceremony and before everyone gathered togtehr, Nadia and Philip chose to walk through Fairview with Philip’s daughter at their side. No big production. No posed moments. Just the present moment, emotion, and love. As their  wedding photographer, during this portion of their day at least, I stayed at a pretty good distance, simply observing and documenting. There was no need to direct. Everything they shared came naturally to them: prayers, singing, tears, and silence. Photography That Honors the Real Moments These kinds of moments can’t be scripted, and that’s what makes them so powerful. What unfolded in that cemetery wasn’t just about loss. it was about theor soon to be forever love, a legacy, and making space for it all. I’m so grateful I could preserve that time in images that speak for themselves. Making Room for What Matters on Your Wedding Day Nadia’s father may not have been physically present at her wedding, but his spirit was deeply felt. In her words, in memory, and now, in these photographs.  Fairview Cemetery  held space for that, becoming more than a location. It became part of the day’s story. So if there’s something deeply meaningful you want to do on your wedding day, do it . Visit someone. Honor someone. Make space for joy, grief, reflection, celebration. There’s no one way to experience a milestone...only your way. Let It Be Real. Let It Be You. Weddings are about more than timelines and to-do lists. They’re about making room for what matters most. Whether that means stopping at a cemetery, including heirlooms, or carving out a quiet moment just for you, it’s all part of your story. And if you're looking for a wedding photographer  who values those real, emotional, and meaningful moments, I’d be honored to document them. Interested in planning a meaningful session or wedding moment in a location that matters to you?  Let’s talk about how we can make space for your story, wherever it takes us.

This session took place in a secluded area near Lake Calhoun in the New London-Spicer, Minnesota area. The wide-open field gave us the privacy we needed to dive into a very raw and emotional concept centered around mental health. This session is part of an ongoing photo series on mental health awareness. In this project, I meet with each person individually to listen to their story, ask questions, and brainstorm a way to visually bring their story to life. Each person chooses three images that they feel drawn to, whether it’s because the photo makes them uncomfortable or because it represents something deeply personal. Those images become our inspiration for how we shape their session, from clothing, props, to mood, and emotion. This session in particular was deeply moving. The model shared that she had lost her father to suicide at a young age. The loss has stayed with her in the form of PTSD. She brought a collection of memories , photos and personal belongings from when her father served, to incorporate into the shoot. The location in rural New London-Spicer allowed us to fully lean into a vulnerable and powerful narrative. She wore a bra and underwear set to symbolize the rawness of body image struggles, and we decorated her body with fresh flowers, then covered them with Band-Aids, representing self-harm, and how damaging self-talk leaves hidden wounds. A tape measure and scale were used as symbols of how we often tie our worth to our body size, believing we must look a certain way to feel loved or accepted. We then taped over her mouth with the word “Silence”  written on it, which she later tore off in the photos—a visual metaphor for reclaiming her voice. A hand-painted banner reading “Fragile”  repeated in a loop,  echoing the quiet strength behind her vulnerability. Here is Amery’s story: I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, severe anxiety, and PTSD when I was sixteen, after I attempted to take my own life. Before that, I had quietly struggled with self-harm, always hiding it in places no one could see. Since then, I’ve turned to tattoos as a coping mechanism. It’s a pain I can control. Still, my self-esteem and body image have been constant battles. I can’t remember a time when negative, self-shaming thoughts weren’t running through my head. Even on the days I feel good about myself, it doesn’t last, depression always finds a way to interrupt. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had happy moments. But depression is more than sadness. It’s waking up tired despite sleeping for hours. It’s canceling plans just to lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. It’s losing joy in the things you used to love. It’s overeating, or not eating at all. It’s struggling to make even the simplest decisions. Anxiety isn’t just panic attacks, it’s people-pleasing, overthinking every conversation, reading too much into a text, being unable to say no. It’s apologizing when no apology is needed. And PTSD is more than being triggered by loud noises. It’s flashbacks, nightmares, poor memory, and self-destructive behaviors. It’s feeling fragile, broken, and overwhelmed by memories you wish you could forget. Most people don’t understand what mental illness truly looks like. They don’t see the weight we carry daily. If you know someone who’s always tired, or constantly seeks reassurance, offer them kindness. Don’t question it, just support them. We don’t like feeling this way either. I’m still trying. Therapy helps. Losing my dad to suicide in 2021, it set me back more than I expected. Most days are hard, really hard. But I’m here, I’m fighting, and I’m trying. If you’re struggling, please talk to someone. Don’t bottle it up. Your story matters. You matter. And it can get better. This mental health awareness photo series, created in the serene and private landscapes near Lake Calhoun in New London-Spicer, Minnesota, is a powerful reminder that everyone carries a unique story. While each story is deeply personal, there is always a thread of shared humanity—we all struggle, we all feel, and we all matter. Your story is worth telling.  Through the images I create and share, my goal is to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.  I hope this project inspires more open conversations about mental illness, encourages education and empathy, and reminds people to be more mindful of the words they use.   No matter what someone is going through, physically or mentally, we all deserve the same compassion and care. Most of all, I hope this series empowers others to choose vulnerability over silence, strength over shame. Together, we can make a difference—one story, one image, one act of understanding at a time.

This powerful and emotional Skin Positivity Normalizing Acne session took place in Willmar, Minnesota, at the historic MinnWest Technology Campus. It was part of my ongoing skin series. A raw and vulnerable project centered around acne awareness and self acceptance. Set indoors of MinnWest, this session showcased a variety of models, each sharing their own unique skin story. The one I’m sharing today is from Teralyn, and it was one of the most impactful sessions of the entire project. The tone of this session was raw, emotional, and empowering. As someone who has personally struggled with severe acne, I know what it feels like to have your skin define your self-worth. This is why I created this skin series, to amplify stories from real people across the Kandiyohi County and Willmar, MN area, and to help others feel seen, valued, and confident in their own skin. In this indoor session at MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar, I collaborated with a talented makeup artist and friend Jess Bonnema (Jessi B Artistry) to photograph a transformation, not just in appearance, but in mindset.  With our model Teralyn, we began with the makeup transformation into full glam. Documenting each stage. Then gentle, confident posing that highlighted her smile, posture, confidence, and strength. Then transitioned into the removal of make up. This process was slow and intentional.  Half-covered expressions. Makeup wipes full of makeup residue. Then a moment alone with a mirror. Her posture and energy shifted, visually capturing how acne can emotionally weigh someone down. At the end of the session, we returned to bare skin. The words “retouch” and "beautiful" were stickers that we directly put on her face, paired with bold posing that called out unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by society and social media. We had her hold the makeup wipes, fake eyelashes in hand, and focused on tight, detailed shots that brought out every pore and every emotion. This project allowed for vulnerability in a safe space, something that was incredibly important for the tone of this series. It wasn’t just about photos; it was about storytelling. Here is Teralyn’s skin story… In seventh grade, I had some acne on my face that wouldn’t seem to go away, so I went to see a dermatologist. I tried lots of different prescriptions, but nothing seemed to work. After several months of no results, my dermatologist took a biopsy on my cheek and sent it to a lab. The results came back to show that it wasn’t acne, but angiofibromas, benign tumors made up of blood vessels and connective tissue. My dermatologist let me know that angiofibromas were permanent, and that they would be on my face for the rest of my life. Further testing revealed that I had a genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis. This disorder causes small tumors to form all over my body, specifically my kidneys, brain, and face. I was upset that I couldn’t do anything to get rid of my blemishes. In eighth grade, a girl in my Spanish class asked me about my acne. I told her it wasn’t acne and that it wasn’t going anywhere, to which she responded, “You should try foundation, it will cover it up.” Later that same night, I begged my mom to help me pick out foundation from the drugstore. I began wearing it to conceal my imperfections, and I still wear it every day. In early high school, I started to develop intense acne. The dermatologist gave me a few topical prescriptions to try, but nothing was strong enough. He eventually put me on a pill called doxycycline hyclate, which I still take every day. Doxycycline hyclate is known for having side effects if a dose is missed. It can cause depressing and suicidal thoughts, which messes with my already severe depression, but I still take it. I’m so concerned about the acne on my face that I put myself in danger if I accidentally miss a dose or two. To this day, I still haven’t really accepted my acne, and I still choose to conceal it. Every morning when I wake up and walk past my mirror, I can see how awful my acne looks. I immediately can’t wait to cover it up with concealer and foundation. Even if I’m not going anywhere, I still like to put on makeup so I don’t have to look at it myself. I feel much more confident when I know it is hidden. On the days I’m really struggling, it’s so important for me to remind myself that I’m not the only person who has a lot of acne, and that in the grand scheme of things, it is pretty insignificant. And that’s my advice to those who are also struggling to accept their skin as well. This skin series session in Willmar, Minnesota was a reminder that vulnerability is strength. At the MinnWest Technology Campus, we created space to be raw and unfiltered, to show the emotional journey of living with acne, and to start conversations about what beauty really means. If you're interested in being a part of this series that honors your story and empowers you to own your confidence — no matter your skin — reach out. These are the stories I love to share.

I photographed this series during the Black Lives Matter protests in Minneapolis. While the protests were centered in the Twin Cities, this individual session took place in Willmar, Minnesota, a smaller town but just as powerful voices live here. The entire shoot was centered around Juven, a passionate individual and photographer who came to me with strong ideas for how he wanted to express himself. While I provided direction when needed, most of this session was purely his vision. I loved collaborating in a way that truly showcased his creativity and emotion. This Black Lives Matter photo session was part of a broader photo series I created to celebrate Black lives: the joy, the pain, the strength, the vulnerability, and the unrelenting fight for justice and equality. Each person I worked with was encouraged to express themselves however they felt called to. In their own words, in their own style, in their own voice. Whether it was through poetry, a journal entry, a song, or simply raw thoughts in the moment, this space was created to allow those involved to feel seen and heard without judgment. For Juven, that voice came through clearly—through both his powerful presence in front of the camera and the emotional story he chose to share. The session took place in three different locations around Willmar: downtown for bold, badass empowered street portraits; in a family member’s backyard for more intimate, symbolic imagery; and indoors where deeper emotions could surface in private. One particularly striking image was of Juven looking into a mirror, then sitting in a bathtub full of water. Metaphors for drowning in expectations, identity, and inner conflict. Another standout concept was him painting half of his face white with paint, a visual nod to the pressure to “fit in” or be accepted in a society that often fails to embrace Black identity in its fullness. Here is Juven’s story: I came from an orphanage in Haiti where, as a young boy, I was happier than I could be. I was the oldest and always looked after the other children. Even though I was only 3–5 years old, I made sure they had the correct medicine, enough to eat, and clean diapers. One day, I was adopted by a white family, one of the best days of my life. Then I got sent to a white school, where I couldn’t figure out why no one liked me. I was kind, inclusive, and cared about others, but it was like… Some days I existed, and other days, people looked at me like, 'Why are you here?' I spent many lunches alone. Studied alone. I played alone. And the only difference I could see was my skin color. But I told myself that couldn’t be it… could it? Does skin color really matter that much? Do I have to paint myself white to belong? I kept smiling on the outside while slowly tearing myself apart inside, trying to be good enough, but always feeling like I came up short. I’ve accepted that maybe I won’t ever be 'good enough' for the world… but I’ve found peace in knowing that I am made in God’s image. My mind races. Am I working hard enough? Did I smile enough? Did I make everyone happy? Did I disappoint God? I drown in my own thoughts. They say nice guys finish last. That they get stepped on and forgotten. But I refuse to change who I am. I treat women with respect, not because I want anything in return, but because that’s what they deserve. I am a king, and I need no less than a queen. Watch me, see if I finish last. A Reminder to Keep Fighting: Black Live Matter This photo series was born out of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement during the protests in Minneapolis, but the emotional impact reached far beyond city lines. Juven’s session, photographed in Willmar, Minnesota, is a powerful reminder of the personal stories behind the movement—stories of identity, struggle, and resilience. Through these images and words, I hope to spark reflection, empathy, and conversation. This project isn’t just about protest—it's about humanity. It’s about honoring Black voices, holding space for honest expression, and using photography as a way to say, “We see you. We hear you. You matter.” This is more than a portrait series. It’s a call for change, understanding, and justice. And it’s just the beginning.