Art is the only thing that strips away anxiety and makes me lose track of time and self.  I am aspiring to be a photographer because it is the art form most closely rooted in reality.  Photography introduces me to new people, it inspires me to go explore new places and experiences.  Photography is important to me because it has changed my perspective; practicing consistently makes me more observant, and more appreciative of the world around me.  Street photography has the strongest effect on my outlook.  I spend a lot of my time on it because I find it peaceful and meditative to give up control by going out with the pure intention of observation and capturing character, stories as they unfold, meaning, and beauty.  Also, I meet someone each time I do street photography who is willing to share their story in words.

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On the other hand, I find portraiture to be especially interesting because it is a social art that requires cooperation. With one model a photographer has in front of them the potential for an infinite amount of truly unique art. Portraiture is a strong-suit of mine because it is an opportunity to use my social skills towards a creative goal.  My creative process for portraiture often involves writing a cinematic narrative, I either give prompts from that narrative to inspire the model's imagination for emotional affect or I shoot pieces of the story out of context.