I create to show that the human face is the most powerful work of art, shaped by light, time, and experience.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I am a fine art portrait photographer focused on the human face as a subject of depth, history, and emotion. To me, the human form is the most powerful work of art. I use light like classical painters—shaping it and letting shadow carry meaning. Through cinematic lighting and chiaroscuro techniques, I create portraits that feel timeless, where a single face holds the weight of a painting.
Where do you find inspiration?My inspiration comes from cinema and the streets of New York. Film taught me how to see light as emotion, not just illumination. On the street, I’m reminded that every face carries a story shaped by experience. That combination—cinematic lighting and real human presence—drives how I approach every portrait I create.
What would you do with $25,000?I would reinvest it directly into my business. After more than a decade as a photographer, I’ve built my work through resilience and resourcefulness. This would accelerate my growth—allowing me to expand my studio, refine my lighting, and produce stronger fine art portrait work. More importantly, it would help me turn this into a sustainable, full-time career.
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