In a world where precision meets passion...


I spent years in the meticulous realm of aircraft maintenance, specializing as an Avionics Technician, which is a focus on aircraft electrical systems. It was a journey that taught me more than just how to keep planes in the sky. It ingrained in me values that have shaped my entire worldview—values that now permeate my work as a photographer and storyteller, celebrating life in all its messy, beautiful complexity.


Attention to Detail: The Art of Seeing


In the world of aircraft maintenance, attention to detail isn’t just important—it’s a matter of life and death. Every wire, every connection, every bolt must be meticulously checked and rechecked. It’s a world where the smallest oversight can lead to catastrophic failure, where precision is not just valued but required. This environment honed my ability to see, really see, the world around me. It taught me to notice the details that others might overlook, to find the beauty in the intricate, the delicate, the seemingly insignificant.


As a photographer, this skill has been invaluable. In every shoot, I bring that same meticulous eye for detail. I look for the moments in between—the fleeting glance, the subtle gesture, the soft light that falls just so. These are the details that tell the story, that bring the image to life, that capture the essence of the person in front of the lens. It’s in these details that I find the authenticity, the imperfection, and the human journey that I seek to celebrate in my work.


Safety: Protecting What Matters Most


Safety is the cornerstone of aviation. It’s a non-negotiable, an absolute. Every procedure, every checklist, every precaution is designed to protect lives. This commitment to safety instills a deep sense of responsibility—responsibility not just for the aircraft, but for the people who trust their lives to your work. It’s a weighty responsibility, but one that brings a profound sense of purpose.


In photography, safety takes on a different form. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe to be themselves, where they can let down their guard, show their true selves, and trust that they will be seen, celebrated, and remembered. It’s about protecting the moments that matter, the moments that tell the story of who they are. It’s about honoring their journey, their imperfections, their humanity, and creating images that reflect that truth.


Taking Responsibility: Owning Your Work


In the cockpit, there’s no room for excuses. When something goes wrong, you own it. You fix it. You learn from it. This sense of responsibility is deeply ingrained in the aviation world, where accountability is paramount. It’s a lesson that has served me well in every aspect of my life. It’s taught me to take ownership of my work, to stand by it, to learn from my mistakes, and to constantly strive to do better.


As a photographer, this responsibility manifests in the way I approach each shoot. I am responsible for creating images that honor the people I photograph, that tell their story with authenticity and respect. I take this responsibility seriously because I know that these images will become part of their legacy, part of the story they leave behind.


Standing Up for Myself: Finding My Voice


In the complex, vast, and always evolving world of aviation, it’s easy to get lost in the noise, to doubt yourself, to second-guess your abilities. But the work demands confidence. It demands that you stand up for yourself, that you trust your knowledge, your skills, your instincts. It’s a lesson in finding your voice, in asserting yourself in a world that is not always very welcoming.


This confidence, this sense of self-worth, has been crucial in my transition to photography. It’s what allows me to bring my unique vision to life, to stand by my artistic choices, to believe in the value of my work. It’s what gives me the strength to create spaces where others can find their voice, where they can stand tall in their own story, where they can be seen and celebrated for who they are.


Professionalism: The Heart of Integrity


Professionalism in aviation is not just about following protocols—it’s about integrity. It’s about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It’s about holding yourself to the highest standards because lives depend on it. This commitment to professionalism has shaped the way I approach my work as a photographer. It’s about showing up, being prepared, being present. It’s about treating every person I photograph with the respect they deserve, honoring their story, their journey, their humanity.


In every image I create, I strive to reflect this integrity. I want the people I photograph to see themselves in the image—not just their physical appearance, but their essence, their spirit, their truth. I want them to feel seen, celebrated, and remembered in a way that is authentic, that honors who they are, that reflects the beauty of their journey.


Diligence and Dedication: The Power of Persistence


Aviation is not for the faint of heart. It requires diligence, dedication, and a relentless commitment to excellence. There are no shortcuts, no easy paths. It’s a world where hard work and perseverance are the keys to success, where every challenge is met with a determination to overcome, to rise above, to achieve.


This same diligence and dedication fuel my work as a photographer. I am relentless in my pursuit of the perfect shot, the perfect moment, the perfect way to tell the story. I am dedicated to my craft, to constantly learning, growing, evolving. I am committed to the people I photograph, to telling their story in a way that is true, that is real, that is meaningful.


The Need for People: The Heart of Connection


In aviation, no one works alone. It’s a team effort, a collaboration of minds, skills, and expertise, all working together to achieve a common goal. This reliance on others, this need for connection, is something that I carry with me in every aspect of my life. It’s a reminder that we are not meant to walk this journey alone, that we need each other, that we are stronger together.


In photography, this need for connection is at the heart of my work. It’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, where they feel connected, where they feel part of something bigger than themselves. It’s about telling stories that remind us of our shared humanity, that celebrate our connections, that honor the richness of the human experience. It’s about building a legacy of empowerment, of connection, of celebration.


The Drive for Connection: A Restless Longing


I left aviation several years ago because of a feeling of restlessness. It was a restless longing for something more. I wanted something beyond the individualistic and often sterile world of aircraft maintenance. While aviation requires collaboration, it often lacks the meaningful connections I crave. Through this journey of longing and restlessness, I learned a lot. Most significantly was the understanding that I need to give myself grace. I need to accept myself and not judge myself or SHAME myself for not measuring up to the expectations of others. I should not suppress myself and change my personality to fit an ideal. I need to allow myself to be autistic. I’m happier this way, and it allows me to build more meaningful connections. My need for community is an innate drive that pushes me to seek out spaces where I can truly belong and connect on a profound level.


In photography, this longing for connection is what fuels my work. It’s about creating environments where people feel truly seen and understood, where they can connect with something larger than themselves. My photography is a celebration of our shared humanity, an acknowledgment of the ties that bind us together, and a tribute to the richness of our collective experience. It’s about capturing the essence of connection and celebrating the beauty of our relationships.


Bridging Worlds: From Aircraft to Art


The transition from aircraft maintenance to photography might seem like a leap, but in reality, it’s a continuation of the same journey—a journey of honoring the details, protecting what matters, taking responsibility, finding my voice, and connecting with others. It’s about celebrating life in all its complexity, about finding beauty in the unexpected, the imperfect, the real.


In the world of aircraft maintenance, I learned to see the world through a lens of precision, responsibility, and dedication. In the world of photography, I have taken those lessons and applied them to the art of seeing, celebrating, and honoring the human journey. It’s a journey that has taken me from the mechanical to the metaphorical, from the technical to the artistic, from the practical to the poetic.


Making the Transition


Now, as I transition from aviation to photography, I’m in a period of reflection, preparing for a new chapter. But this isn’t a pause—it’s an opportunity to adjust my path, to find a way of living that allows me to be fully present and true to myself. I’m committed to trusting my Savior’s guidance, confident that I’m being led to work and a lifestyle that lets me embrace who I am without the need to mask. One that will allow me to be a blessing to others.


This time, I’m aiming for a place where I can be at ease, where I can express my true self and let my passions shine. I’m not just hopeful—I’m ready to discover what it means to thrive, this time with a camera in hand, capturing the beauty of the journey in a way that’s uniquely mine.


When you see my work, know that it’s more than just a photograph. It’s a celebration of life, a tribute to the journey, a reflection of the values that have shaped me, and a testament to the power of connection, dedication, and the human spirit.


The Legacy of Pineapple Salsa


Today, as a photographer, I bring with me the lessons learned from years in the aviation industry. In many ways, my journey from aircraft maintenance to photography has been a journey of finding my true purpose, my true calling. It’s been about taking the lessons learned in one world and applying them to another, about finding new ways to honor the same values of precision, responsibility, connection, and celebration. It’s about building a legacy of empowerment, about transforming lives by capturing the beauty of the human journey in all its complexity and imperfection.


In the end, whether I’m working on an aircraft or behind the lens of a camera, the goal remains the same: to honor the journey, to celebrate the moments, to connect with others, and to create a legacy that will endure.