Confidence in Being Seen



This is one of my favorite photos I’ve ever had the chance to take.

Young child smiles brightly in the sunlight wearing a light blue t-shirt on a sunny day.

Tijuana, Mexico 2019

In 2019 my dad, myself, and two vans with 29 strangers who became friends took a trip to Tijuana, Mexico to build a home for a family in need as well as host a street fair for the surrounding childeren. While we were holding a street fair filled with toys, games, and little feet running all around us, this little guy pictured above was a big fan of my camera. After acting as my shadow for quite sometime he walked in front of me, pointed to my lens, and struck his pose. I’ll always rember him. This moment is a secial testament to how cameras and documentation can break barriers between cultures and allow us to connect. 


I like to think about why he felt encouraged to be photographed that day. Somewhere in his little heart he felt confidence in wanting to be remembered, that there was an importance in him being seen which is everything a child deserves to feel and the whole essence of portrait photography in itself. I hope this photo is encouragement to make someone feel seen today.


People dancing together on a sunny day in a casual outdoor setting with mountains visible in the background.
Vintage van partially visible through a narrow alleyway between adobe-style buildings under bright sunlight.
Colorful residential houses dot the hillside landscape of an urban neighborhood against mountain backdrop.
A group of children and adults gather outdoors in a sunny environment near a concrete wall and palm tree.
Children gather under a blue canopy tent on a sunny day while cooling mist sprays through the air.
Person stretches their arms overlooking colorful cityscape view on sunny day from building rooftop.