Very Capable Hands.

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As the latest installment in my now established “An Oratory Experiment” series, I wanted to shift focus from social media to website. The early iterations were formatted for vertical viewing, but I feel the future of this series is meant to be viewed in the traditional landscape orientation. Keep in mind that this is an experiment.

This video comes to you after many weeks of mental, emotional, and spiritual preparation. Also, chasing blue hour in an attempt to record under the proper lighting conditions. All of this took a toll on me, but I don’t regret anything because it brought me here.

The audio for "Very Capable Hands" was recorded not long after the Roe v. Wade overturn. I was unsure if it was my place to speak on the matter, so I spoke to the greater symbolism of the decision.

My hope is that this resonates on some level...with someone, somewhere. I'm also honest enough with myself to know I could very well be speaking into a void. Getting the idea out was the necessary step for me to get closer to the real message (whatever it may be). “An Oratory Experiment” will continue to evolve with me as a creative and human being.

When I have a stronger grasp on what this phase is, I’ll explain further, but I won't hold you any longer.

“THE WORLD IS IN VERY CAPABLE HANDS…”

THANK YOU

Poochie, thank you for supporting me in all of the ways I've needed support, and the ways I didn't even know I needed. Talking me through the frustration that I felt during the process of filming over those weeks was pivotal in getting the results that we did. I'm beyond grateful to have someone like you in my life.

Sinopsis, thank you for being one of the illest producers, and homies, I know. There's never been a moment where I've questioned if you could deliver, on any level, but specifically a musical one. You tagging in Bao to finesse those keys brought more than I could've imagined to this piece. Here's to more collaboration in the future.

To you, reading and watching…thank you for being here.

APLoT.

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APLoT Still.JPG

When Kayla reached out to me to direct the visual component to her poem, “A Prayer List of Things (I Ask My Father For Daily),” I wanted to be sure that I matched the beauty and reflective nature of her writing. Having taken her portrait a couple years ago, she expressed that she wanted us to work again someday. At the time I wasn’t sure of what capacity that would be in, but to be trusted with a project such as this one was truly an honor.

Kayla let me know how vulnerable of an act this would all be as she’s never truly enjoyed being in front of the camera. With this in mind, I made it a point to affirm her in her decision to do this, especially on set.

The days leading up to the shoot involved location scouting, reading Kayla’s poem, as well as listening to her recite it aloud in an audio recording. Reading was one experience, but listening to her traverse these longings for a deeper relationship with self through her relationship to God was awe inspiring. Wanting more for yourself is a courageous act inspired by having lived a life where you didn’t understand the level of power you possessed.

Often times we give that power to situations, circumstances, and people who use it against us in hopes that we won’t ever realise our true value.

This realisation is the moment where we break free from false realities that we’ve accepted as our own. All the negative self talk, and ways in which we interact with ourselves and others, become positive affirmations and the healthy boundaries we set.

Here’s to growing even closer to our truest selves.

“I WANT TO SCALE THE FULL WORTH OF WHO GOD SAYS I AM…”

Taking The Leap.

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Last year, I was gifted this beautiful Yashica 12 medium format camera as a Christmas gift from my partner. She wanted to start me off on my film journey right, and I couldn’t think of a camera build that was more suited for me than a TLR (Twin Lens Reflex).

The 1:1 ratio on this body took some getting used to as I typically enjoy shooting in 16:9 and 3:2 with digital. My entire approach to framing shots has been challenged in a way that I welcome wholeheartedly.

In a way I skipped a step by going straight for medium format and not 35mm, but I figured it would all be the same general principles:

  • Measure your light

  • Dial in your settings

  • Take your time composing

  • Capture

Eventually I did splurge and buy myself a Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 to fill in that 35mm void, and it’s been a beautiful experience seeing the differences between medium format and 35mm beyond negative size. I’ll be sure to share even more of this journey with you all through my ever expanding and changing portfolio.

Film is where I live right now. If someone were to tell me that I can no longer use my Sony a7Rii for photography, I’d be perfectly okay with that. I want to learn all of the intricacies of this medium and understand why it can never truly be matched. Hopefully you all join me in the different stages of discovery.

"Sometimes I arrive just when God's ready to have someone click the shutter."

-Ansel Adams