Biography

I’m a free-lance photojournalist, commercial photographer, and humanitarian based out of Portland, Oregon, for the past 21 years. I believe we all have the ability to make a positive impact on our planet. With my experience as a photographer and small business owner, I’m determined to make a difference.

In October 2007 I traveled to Rwanda for a month, photographing the projects of the Portland, Oregon, based Itafari Foundation. My life perspective was permanently altered. Over the next three years I traveled back to Rwanda for two other month long trips – documenting Rwanda’s recovery and reconstruction from the genocide in 1994, as well as a trip to Kenya to photograph for the Makindu Children’s Center.

In November 2011, I spent a month in Haiti creating a visual record of the Haitian people, and the individuals, non-profit groups, and NGO’s working tirelessly to improve living standards on the island. The first week was spent in villages in rural northern Haiti, documenting a mobile medical team from the non-profit Haitian Caribbean American Organization of Texas. In one week 1500 patients were treated. From there I traveled to other parts of the island photographing for Mercy Corps, J/P HRO, Foundation L’ Athlitique d’ Haiti, Atis Rezistants of the Grand Rue, and others. In November 2012, I’ll returned to continue my work.

I exhibit and speak nationally about my work, offering a provocative visual and journalistic insight into the recovery and reconstruction of both Rwanda and Haiti. A message of hope, peace, diversity and cultural sensitivity has been enthusiastically received at peace conferences, corporate gatherings, public schools, and universities. Telling the stories of people who are not very different from you or me, I present a narrative of Rwandans and Haitians as part of the plurality of our common human identity. We all have similar aspirations for comfortable shelter, full stomachs, steady employment, health care, schooling for our children, and happy stable relationships. The biggest difference is that I was lucky enough to be born in the United States. Opening minds to other cultures and showing life in the developing world enriches understanding of ourselves and others, expands gratitude for what we have, and connects us to our common humanity.