When it works, a photograph distills the great issues of our time into a decisive, universal moment – one that invites viewers to recognize part of themselves in the life of another and open the door to deeper empathy, if not action. I have searched for these moments on the front lines of humanity, bearing witness to tragedy, triumph, and all that lies between. I have seen unfathomable grief give way to relentless purpose, joy burst from heartache. I have also seen people crushed, a devastation from which some never recover. But as I navigated the darkened hallways of despair, I found that people’s capacity for good, empathy, and hope lit the way forward. 

Every day, I think of the stories entrusted to me, the tears that gave way to life-affirming laughter, and sprawling conversations that burrowed deep into the core of what makes us human. These shared experiences have shown me that we have far more in common than what divides us, and that despite having so many reasons to lose hope, people still, as Springsteen sang, find a reason to believe. Witness is my attempt to process what I have seen, appreciate those I have met along the way, and share the lessons I have learned through the healing power of music.

Click here to download the pitch deck for Witness