Des Moines
Drake University Trump Rally and Protests /
There was a national spectacle (I mean, a Trump rally and a protest of the rally) within walking distance, and while you might not think of me as a political photographer, both music and political photography involve capturing real movement and emotion and events, so I didn’t feel out of my element (at least creatively—the event itself was not my element). I got shots of the rally crowd, but also the protesters. I hope these images make you feel something, but more than that, I hope they make you think. I hope you believe your voice and your camera and your words and your vote mean something—because they do.
Also, these images are not chronological, but were shot over the course of an hour.
While the protestors stood at the top of a snow bank, protesters of the protesters came and unveiled a Trump banner and waved political signs.
At the bottom of the hill and on the sidewalk areas stood a mix of supporters, protesters, and journalists.
Playground Portraits /
Otherwise entitled: when 2 ennegram 4’s are left unattended. We went from doing a photo walk to being super pumped about a cool wall to being way excited about a play ground to playing on the playground to taking photos and videos of playing on the playground. Our ideas and imagination and adventures ran unhindered!
Machine Gun Kelly /
Machine Gun Kelly played at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, on October 29th, 2019. I shot the show for Interscope Records.
Lana Del Rey: Des Moines /
Climate Strike in Des Moines /
“This is our future.”
“There is no Planet B.”
Last minute, I was able to attend the Climate Strike on September 20th. I didn’t have a sign or a shirt or anything fancy: I simply had my self and my camera, to show up, to add to the numbers, and to bear witness through my film. Upon arrive, I got choked up at the amount of teens there. Everyone from punk kids to VSCO girls. When I was their age, I didn’t think climate change was a big deal and honest, I was probably too self-absorbed (and privileged) to care about anything that policitcal. To hear teenagers speak articulately in front of such a large crowd gives me hope that, despite all of this, empathy still exists and maybe things like climate change and the mental health crisis don’t have to keep getting worse. Maybe it can get better. Maybe it will.
“Climate change is a global emergency.”
I’m nowhere near competent on this issues and I’m nowhere near living a fully sustainable life, but I hope that I will keep learning and growing and maybe that's just it: maybe if we do that, it can get better—and will.
“Things to do: feed the cat, eat breakfast, save the world!”
“Learn to change or learn to swim.”
“Live from Area 51. Be green, earthlings. Climate change impacts everything.”
There was a Greta Thunberg quote on this poster (but it’s hard to read here).
“Demand climate justice from the fossil fuel industries.”
“You know it’s bad when an old straight white guy is marching.”
Getaway Car /
Nothing good starts in a getaway car...
My friend Evan approached me a while ago about doing a shoot prior to the Taylor Swift concert he was going to. He custom-printed a jacket, we picked out a time, and he found a car. Maybe we didn't really run away, but with one of the first chilly days flooding cool air through the alley, it felt like maybe we could.
Phantogram : 80/35 /
A few years ago, with my brother and his friend Shaun, I drove to Ames and saw Phantogram. During that time, I was carrying my camera with me everywhere, so I naturally shot a few photos from the crowd. This time I was official and in the pit--and obsessed with that sparkly cape. If only I could wear something like that literally every single day. Right? Anyways, thanks to LTP for the experience and Phantogram for the great show!
Civic Center Announcement /
My friend Evan hired me to shoot some photos for the Civic Center's season announcement. All of his projects involve creativity and community, so when he asks me to shoot for him, my answer is always "yes." Check out his blog and also the Civic Center's upcoming shows!
In the Evening Band : Studio Day 1 /
This is an actual treat: to photograph for my boyfriend and some of my good friends as they create and chase their dreams.
