1. Where and how did it all start with getting into photography?

I’ve always been interested in creating clothing and painting and making up other worlds.  When I was younger, cameras seemed appealing to me, and when I was around thirteen or fourteen, I got my first one. The rest just happened with time. It began with photo shoots with my best friend, Luna Ray.  We would act out characters that we made up and create stills based around them.  I think what appealed most to me about photography was how quickly the image arrived.  I truly respect it when, say, a painting takes many weeks to evolve, but there is something magical about how fast you can view your images and ideas in your camera. 

2. Your imagery has a certain style, has this developed from other artist’s influences?

Yes, I am very inspired by the idea of creating images to which everyone can relate; an allowance of escape.  My inspiration ranges from the television show, The Mighty Boosh, to things that my friends and I do together.  I think it is important to draw fromart outside of your own chosen medium. I really respond to David LaChapelle’s work and the way he seems to create art that is universal; to me that is one of the most important things that keeps me going with my work.      

3. Living and working in New York must be a photographers dream, tell us about the art sceneand how you get yourself involved with it?

I don’t know if there is an art scene exactly, but I do enjoy creating art with my friends and people that I love.  I think that going to school helps a lot with meeting other artists and bringing people together.  A good way to get involved with meeting other artists is by going to gallery openings.  The best way to meet new people and get involved with projects is just by being open and responding positively to a new idea with respect.

4. As a young photographer how are you getting your work out there and noticed? The internet is helpful with getting the word around quickly.  A website is also helpful because you can direct people to a link of your work.  Its also nice to just talk with other people and bounce ideas around, and possibly getting involved with each other’s art.

5. Your new project 'Hip2it' is very interesting, what’s it about? 

This project is my recollection of the days of 'MySpace'.  I wanted to create a group of kids who were having a photo shoot to take new pictures for their profiles.  I like looking back into my life and exploring certain things that I feel were a big deal growing up.  I would say that 'MySpace' was something that pretty much everyone was into. I am really inspired by some of the designs that were used for page layouts.  I wanted to create my ownlayout that I thought worked well with the personalities of the kids.  

6. What areyour plans for the future? 

I plan to keep on working and creating. My bigger goal for the future is to create safe places through my art in which kids and young adults may feel free to be themselves, and not be confined or detached.