And a special note about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Photography has to be one of my favorite mediums.

Getting on the ground and documenting colors, patterns, and moments just as they exist. Of course, photos aren’t beyond bias. They often reveal a lot more about the photographer than the subject.

I started photography around the same time I started to understand depression was a recurring cycle in my life. My pictures were of things that made me feel alive, or expressed something I felt.

That theme continued when I started seriously painting to survive a difficult period of suicidal ideation. After hospitalization and ongoing treatment, I understood making art was a huge part of building a life worth living for me.

In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, I’m launching my Photo Shop. It’s an ongoing collection of snapshots of things that overwhelm me, inspire me, scare me, and make me laugh. But most importantly…

These are snapshots of things that make me love living.

I hope you find a spark of that feeling by looking at these photos!

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.