Happy, No Happy

My documentation of life by the railroad tracks in Central Bangkok came about with a conversation I had with a man who lived there. He invited me into his home and asked me simply, “Bangkok: happy, no happy?” In that instant, I had an epiphany. Here, in this tiny sliver of land, we can find all the ranges of emotion that encompass the joys and sorrows of the human spirit – the representation of all humanity.

My work had always been about connecting my viewers to my subjects. I believe that if we can relate to others and understand them, then we can accept them. By offering views into the windows of people's lives, I hope that we can find something of ourselves in their frailties and strengths and remember that we are all one people.

Finn Slough

Finn Slough is a small, quaint community facing an uncertain future as it becomes increasingly vulnerable to encroaching development. Founded by Finnish fishermen in the 1890's, the title of the land was bought in 1989 for the purpose of developing a multi-million dollar housing project. Efforts to evict the residents of Finn Slough have been based in part on complaints that the vintage buildings are not up to code, yet even under the constant threat of legal action, support has steadily grown. Current priorities are to raise public awareness and have the village designated as a protected heritage site. To date, they are still struggling to preserve their unique home and way of life.

Desert Sea Dreams

This is a series detailing recreation amidst the surreal landscape of Southern California's ecological disaster. It is an understatement to say that the Salton Sea is dirty, the smell of death and decay lingers in the air and the water is hardly suitable for any type of use that could be deemed sanitary. The sea’s problems have been attributed to factors such as agricultural run-off, botulism, the decimation of fish and avian populations and increasing salinity to name just a few. Despite these problems, there exists pockets of beauty and remnants of this desert sea's former glory that are undeniable and to date, they can still be enjoyed by those who know what to look for.

Muay Thai Culture

Muay Thai, also known as the Art of the Eight Limbs, employs eight points of contact when striking: fist, elbows, knees and shins. These fighters are trained from as young as they can walk until the toll of their training breaks their body down to the point where they cannot continue - typically in their early twenties. They calcify the bones used for striking and build muscles as sheathes of armour. To many, this is their only path to a better life - no different than many disadvantaged American youths turning to Football or Basketball. The Thai youths merely pay a higher price.

Children of the Eight Limbs

Camps around Thailand regularly take in children who are orphaned or who's parents can no longer afford to raise them. They are trained from as young as they can walk and are fed, clothed and provided an education by those who take them in. In return, the camp typically take half of their earnings. Not all motivations are monetary in nature...in these examples, the welfare of the child comes first and they are taken in because they have nowhere else to go. This is their only path to a future in which they can find survival.

Life in Chania

This is a series of portraits detailing life in Chania, Greece.

Abandoned

The Salton Sea was once a destination to the stars in its heyday, but now lies abandoned and neglected. Yet in its neglection lies the beauty found in the quiet of its death and decay. Many see this area as an eyesore, unable to see past the deterioration of its ruins, but it is exactly the deterioration along with nature's efforts to reclaim her land that makes this place so heart-breaking in its beauty.