The past three years as the photographer-in-residence for TPJ have been such a blessing. I have grown so much, looking back… not only has the role given me numerous career opportunities, but to have a group of people believe in you enough, early on, to create a role for you to photograph for them… to take their time, vision, and energy to facilitate your growth… to challenge you… to see your potential and push you when they know you’re capable of more… has been a truly invaluable and irreplaceable part of my journey as a photographer. I can’t thank them enough, and I’m not really good with the words anyway, as they know how much I have dreaded writing every single one of these intros (lol), and always do so at the last possible minute. This one in particular, though, I dreaded simply because I don’t know how to articulate how much this adventure with TPJ has meant to my life. I communicate visually, and I hope you have felt the love over the years.

I’m deeply humbled to end my residency with this photo essay shot in sunny LA. The editors- Lou, Paige, and SuzAnne were all there while Chyenne and I explored this small piece of the Earth up in Griffith Park. Paige even went up to the guy who had the huskies (I couldn’t do it) and asked if we could take the photo of Chyenne with the dogs. I would have never gotten that shot if you weren’t there, Paige. Just like I would have never taken any of these photos without the support of TPJ.

We chased the light, all of us, taking photos and sharing them with each other. It was a perfect evening, and I found myself getting that wave of inspiration… the one that makes you want to have this day over and over. The one that makes you feel grateful to be alive, grateful to have eyes, because everything is magic and you’ll never forget this light, in this small speck of time in this small speck of space in the universe. I can’t think of a better way to close this chapter. I love every single one of you reading this, and I’m so lucky.