I create documentary photographs that focus on community and everyday life. I mainly work with film because I like the feeling of it and the patience it requires. Shooting film makes me slow down, pay attention to what is happening around me, and think more carefully about each photograph I take.

My work comes from growing up in East Salinas, California, a working-class community that has shaped the way I see the world. A lot of my work focuses on my own community, but I also photograph people and neighborhoods in other places I travel to. I’m interested in seeing how working-class communities can be different from one place to another, while still sharing similar experiences.

I photograph people, neighborhoods, culture, and everyday moments. I don’t want my photographs to only show struggle or hardship. I also want to show the beauty, pride, relationships, and sense of community that exist in these places. I’m also drawn to landscapes and quieter spaces, which create a balance between people, busy neighborhoods, and open environments. Through my photography, I want to document these communities honestly and create a record of people and places that are often overlooked.