Creating art is an everyday process for me. I am constantly thinking about what I can document and how to make each photograph better. When I create art, I am able to express myself to people in a way that I believe I would never be able to do otherwise. Photographing people has truly changed my life and my subjects constantly inspire me. These subjects have become a landscape that I use to portray myself through them. I recognize how each person wishes to be seen and then discover how I am going to document their essence. Each person has a unique touch to him or her, a certain aura that no other person can duplicate. I strive to discover the feeling that that person gives off and reveal it as well as I can through photography.
There are so many different aspects of my life and the people in it that inspire me. My sister, Lindsay, is always inspiring me to be different, to be better. I do not know what I would do without her in my life because she is what keeps me going, what keeps me strong and what reminds me to be myself and trust my instinct. My emotions are really what are shown in my pictures. I depict what I happen to be feeling that particular day or if I have experienced something and need to recreate it, I take the time to set the scene up and find the right model.
Photography is a way for me to escape from my reality and everything that is going wrong in my life and in the world. It helps me collect myself and be able to control a situation that in my life is actually uncontrollable. Within my world of photography I represent people that are hurting, alone and mostly isolated from other people. My subjects are in this bubble that you as the viewer are able to see, but never able to be apart of.
Education
Texas Tech University: Candidate for BFA degree, emphasis in photography
Fall 2005-Fall 2008
Advisors:
Future Atkins
Ed Check
Patricia Earl
Stephen F. Austin University
Fall 2005
Honors and Awards
Dean’s List Fall 2007- Spring 2008
Teaching Experience
Student taught kindergarten and 4th grade at Arnett Elementary in Lubbock Texas. Emphasis based on visual art processes to motivate and maintain an environment conducive to learning.
2007
Student taught grade levels from 5th through high school at Project Intercept in Lubbock Texas. Developed teaching method and implemented students performance to motivate and establish working environment welcoming education.
2008
Occupations
Personal assistant implementing and organizing blueprints at VLK Architect
2006
Collaborated and coordinated events at Texas Tech University’s Theater’s production
2006-2007
Selected Exhibitions
Day of the Dead Art Exhibit: A mixed media piece of photos and acrylic paint. Landmark Gallery 2005
First Friday At Trail: Two paintings at Steins and three photographs at Conference.
2008
Lubbock Centennial: One photograph in the Time and Place exhibit.
2008
Commercial Work and Commissions
Photographed a wedding for Ban and Andrea Myers in Boulder, Colorado. Sold the couple a CD of the wedding.
2008
Teaching Objective
Every time I teach I am there in every way for my students to help them achieve their best work. I aim to be the teacher I always wished I had going through school.
Work in Collections
Sue Thomas Arlington, Texas 2005
Chuck Thomas Arlington, Texas 2006
Zac Saathoff Denver, Colorado 2007
Kelly Garcia Houston, Texas 2007
Andrea Marquez Lubbock, Texas 2007
Jared and Lindsay Whittenberg Arlington, Texas 2007