Jordan 2019

This was a trip that has stuck with me for several years now. the REFUGEES and people i interacted with changed so much of how i viewed arab culture. this was my second time traveling to Jordan, but it was a very different trip. my eyes were opened to a lot, and i feel like i can’t fully put to words what i witnessed. there was one refugee, he was iraqi. He detailed his life before the fall of the hussein regime and De-ba’athification, and how he made a living to support his family. he was well to do in his business, had a large paid for home, loved his neighbors, and deeply loved his family. everything changed for the iraqi people after the Invasion and DESTABILIZATION of their country. This eventually allowed for isis to do whatever they wanted, and he was forced out of his homeland for fear of death.

He later told me, “i thank god that iSIS took everything from me. if they hadn’t, i would have never found Christ”

MEXICO 2019

moving to arizona has put me closer to mexico than i ever thought i would be. its only about a 3 hour drive to the border. since living in arizona, I’ve traveled to mexico for both business and pleasure a few times. all i can say about mexico is that i love how friendly the people were and how hospitable they were to me and my wife. if you’ve never gone to a quiet tourist town in mexico, I implore you to go get a “pina colada En Su Pina” while there. you’ll never be the same! All photos were taken in 35mm film

INDIA 2015

I spent 3 weeks in Kolkata, India, also known as the City of Joy. It didn’t take long for me to realize how true this was. During my tenure there, I visited some of the cities poorest and most destitute citizens in the slums. What I expected to be a dreary, hopeless, forsaken place turned out to be the home of some of the happiest and most generous people on earth. Even though these people lived in awful conditions, they wore the biggest smiles and had the most welcoming spirit I’ve ever known. I am thankful for my time in India, and I know it has changed me for the better.

JORDAN 2014

I spent several weeks in Amman, Jordan with some friends. It almost seems like forever ago now.  I can still smell the shisha, diesel, spiced chicken and lamb, fresh orange juice and boiling tea. Jordan is the kind of place that sticks close to your heart after you leave. You never see the world around you quite the same. From the ancient Roman ruins to the mountains of Petra, and the incredible relationships forged with newfound brothers, Jordan will always be the place that beckons me to return. The work shown are photojournalistic snapshots of my brief experiences in that incredible place.