PORTRAITS OF PEOPLE I ADORE

Populating this collection throughout shoulder-season of 2023

This is a rather special series for me. I’ve always wanted to do things like beautifully vloggy year-in-reviews or have compilation footage of all the things I’ve done with my favorite people during a certain season of life, but I’ve realized that over the years I’ve been able to take photos of friends that I cherish— photos that immediately take me back to a summer morning by an alpine lake, bike rides through Chicago, or a glowing sunset on a New York roof-top. These photos capture my friends in moments that we want to remember forever. I hope to freeze a part of their essence with each frame.

Eslah | Upper East Side | Summer 2022

These are the portraits that inspired the rest of the series. Eslah’s been a dear friend ever since we crossed paths in DC when she worked as a photo editor at NPR, before she moved on to the likes of Nat Geo and ultimately landing herself a role at The New York Times. Our friend Aminah coincidentally was visiting as well and we both got to commemorate Eslah’s big NYC move with some shawarmas and shooting on her fire escape before stealthily making our way to the rooftop. It immediately became a core summer memory.

Ryan | Alberta | Fall 2023

We love to joke that Ryan’s my white doppelgänger, but I’d probably actually use the guy as my stunt-double being as chiseled & charming as this guy is. You may have come across his sage tutorials on Youtube as Signature Edits, and I’m lucky to say that I went from watching his videos to calling him a brother with the bond we’ve forged through adventure and dream sends in Alberta over the last couple years. Always a cup-filler, this one.

Aminah | Manhattan - Summer 2023

We immediately became friends when we met in her hometown of San Diego way back in 2017 and ever since keep catching each other wherever we can through the years whether it’s in LA, Chicago, New York, you name it. The girl’s an absolute badass and entrepreneurial force on her own and always look after her homies with a playful warmth that I’ve come to expect from Aminah.

Sameer | Alberta | Summer 2023

What a gem- we ran into each other at DC’s first Holi event at Union Market and ever since kept in touch until we got the opportunity to adventure together to Alberta this summer. He was a part of the first major commercial campaign I shot for Nominal and was the best dude to have on the trip!

Catch us on Thursdays text-screaming at each about the latest JJK episode. Bonded through traumatic Mappa viewing lol

Kareema | Washington, DC | Summer 2023

Kareema and I crossed paths as kids but met properly in 2023 and became friends through shared game and movie nights in the city. She’s now become a staple in my sense of DC community. These were from a fun shoot we did to help promote LemonZest Fest’s merch line that they were putting out for the year.

Ahmad | Death Valley | Winter 2023

God of Boy, sage among sages, and film/cinematography sensei. Probably the most humble and subtly hilarious award-winning DP you’ll meet.

Portraits of People I Adore