writer | creative mind | photographer
creating community through words and photos

examples of my work + talents

editorial writing

published on Nashville.Eater.com

“I have never been scared of color, but Nashville maintains a pretty restrained palette,” Powell Architecture + Building Studio Partner Katie Vance explains. “We wanted something new, different, and bold, and it felt like we could take that risk on this project.” Led by Vance, the firm is responsible for bringing jewel tones and touches of local craftsmanship into The Green Pheasant while borrowing inspiration from Japanese culture. The focus was on creating inviting dining spaces where guests are encouraged to stay awhile; the restaurant is divided into a handful of bustling sections that flaunt unexpected elements of design.

Lush mustard yellow bar stools establish a bold color palette of deep turquoise, plush red, and pops of yellow against softer blues and natural hues. Above the bar hangs an origami art installation by Nashville’s own New Hat Projects as a somewhat subtle reference to the Japanese art. The screens between the bar and riverfront-facing dining area are the patterns from the unfolded origami pieces — a more understated nod. A painted mirror in the Kitto Katsu parlor shows that the place doesn’t take itself too seriously, and ruby red plush velvet banquettes are a welcoming place to sink in and soak up your surroundings. Oh, and the toilets are heated. With details like the metalwork by Ferrin IronWorks; furnishings by Matt Alexander (Holler Design) and Chris Barber (Barber Woodworking); architectural concrete by Set in Stone; and electrical by Adam Gatchel/Southern Lights Electric, the interiors evoke all of the originality of the cleverly constructed menu.

website copy

written for Relief Without Boarders

At Relief Without Borders, our focus is on communicating shared human experience across cultures through portraits, videos, and stories and engaging people around the world to take part in providing basic goods and necessities to families in need. We work to provide relief to those suffering injustice and poverty in developing countries.

We believe in transparency. We believe in international change. We showcase the need, provide immediate ways to help, and report. Our model helps voices be heard and allows an avenue for you to become part of our movement of change.

The awareness and empowerment project was formed to give a voice to the diverse people of developing countries and to allow that voice to be heard around the world. Along the way, we document the progress and change.

Today, we are fighting to make those voices stronger through education.

editorial + travel photography

published on StyleBlueprint.com

The Rio Grande caught us by surprise. As we drove across the bridge, which spans 1,280 feet and sits 565 feet above the Rio Grande (making it the seventh highest bridge in the United States), we approached Taos, the fifth stop on our 3,488-mile road trip — let’s say 3,500 for good measure.

The trip took little thought and less planning, hence our surprise. I am not sure when the conversation started, or when the decision was made that we would take this adventure, but in late August, we embarked on a road trip that took us from Kansas City to Vail to Crested Butte to Telluride to Taos and to White Sands, with a stop in Memphis before heading back home to Nashville. As we made it from the flatlands of Kansas to the white sands of New Mexico, we ate tacos and slept in tents along the way. We sat down to what one Yelper called “the best Mexican food in Kansas” at a roadside restaurant in Kanopolis; we ate Colorado peaches as we made our way into the mountains; we got lost on hiking trails; we ate tacos again, this time smothered in spicy chile; and we saw white sands stretch as far as our eyes could see.