THE FRONT STEPS PROJECT

From March through June of 2020, I participated in the international photography initiative known as the Front Steps Project (above). I photographed over 150 families in the Lynchburg area, and together we raised almost $5,500 for a local nonprofit that helps to end homelessness in our community. Traveling around town and meeting so many families who were sheltering in place helped lift my spirits during an otherwise stressful and sad time, and I hope that I was able to bring even a small measure of joy to the wonderful people who asked to have their portraits made. Photographing families in their environments and preserving memories for future generations are two of the biggest reasons I am a family documentary photographer, and the Front Steps Project allowed me to give back in a fun and meaningful way.

the honor flight project

The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created to honor America's Veterans by transporting them to Washington, DC to visit the monuments and memorials. America has built memorials to the service and the ultimate sacrifice of her veterans, and the Honor Flight Network believes it is equally important that those veterans actually get to visit and experience their memorial. I had the great honor of travelling with the Northeast Tennessee chapter of Honor Flight in both October 2018 and April 2019 as the trip photographer. Building relationships with the men and women on that trip and being present for their reactions to the monuments was an unforgettable experience.