I had the privilege of learning the craft of storytelling while traveling the world and gaining access to some of the coolest training you can imagine. My skill was raw…still developing but these shoots ultimately laid the foundation of what would become my career in storytelling.
EARLY WORK
Story is King
Sometimes you need to go deeper to find the heart of the story. This was the case with Sean, a Marine veteran and triple amputee who wanted nothing to do with me when we first met. I wasn’t the first to show up with a pad and pen, but after a few hours playing Battlefield at Walter Reed he invited me to join him for a weekend with some friends. There’s no better way to capture someones story than to sleep on their couch for a few days. My command told me it was a waste of time but I knew the story laid beyond the hospital recovery room.
My Piece of the Corps
After finishing at the top of my Intermediate Photojournalism Course, my command asked me what I wanted to do.
‘Give me a team and two weeks in California. I want to explore sides of the Marine Corps no one ever gets to see.’
From flames on the flight-line to riding horseback in the Sierra Nevada mountains, it was a trip to remember. Enjoy.
The Warrior Games
The desire to compete doesn’t disappear after a veteran is injured, no matter how severe. And while these athletes’ display of heart and grit were incredible, it was their sportsmanship that stood out most.
Despite representing different services and being each others competition, these men and women displayed nothing but respect and care to their fellow service members. After all they’re all warriors…and it’s just a game.
Ol’ Chucky Boy
One of the most unexpected turns in my career was being selected to become the official photographer of the Secretary of Defense. I traveled the world, photographed dignitaries from nearly every country and worked under higher stress and responsibility than any other position I’ve held. Quite a ride.
