MY STORY
Based in London, UK
The truth is, I've always been a storyteller. In my adolescent years, my medium of choice was written storytelling. I remember quite vividly doing work experience at Gasworks art gallery. I had the privilege of interviewing and writing about the artist Felix Thorne. The text I'd written was so emotive that Gasworks published it in their magazine. That was a turning point for me. Storytelling wasn't just a way for me to have my voice heard, but it was a way to have those around me heard too; and still is today.
My love for storytelling through photography grew via my globe-trotting adventures. I generally gravitate towards people and scenes that are in their candid and most beautiful state.
Thinking back... I once visited Cape Verde (located west of Africa) to participate in some voluntary work. During the weekdays I would teach, and in the evenings I would explore the islands with friends. One particular evening we were walking along the beach and some locals were waving us over, trying to get our attention. My Portuguese was weak at the time, I could barely make out one man's words, "Sopa de tubarão." We interacted with him as he had us look into a boiling pot, and we then understood that he was offering us shark soup. We declined politely, but he kept rambling, speaking fast, and then suddenly he disappeared behind his boat. A minute later, he reappeared with a shark's head clutched in his fist. Beaming from ear to ear, he pointed at the head and then pointed at my camera. He repeatedly said 'Facebook', 'internet' and 'photo'. He was asking me to share his story online. He made me realise that I had an opportunity he didn't, and he trusted me with that. From that moment on, I knew there was something especially rewarding about travel documentary.
