Behind the Lens

The camera has connected me with so many amazing people, enriching my relationships and forever shaping how I view the world. Every day, I spot potential shots in the most ordinary moments—sparks of inspiration that fuel my creativity wherever I go. Being behind the lens for so many years has allowed me to forge lifelong friendships and cultivate an outlook that colors every aspect of my life.

Let’s rewind the story for a moment—because, let’s face it, life really does its thing sometimes! My good friend Kenny and I had drifted apart over the past couple of years as we each tackled our own personal ups and downs. Even though we share the same passion for photography (and so much else), life just took us in different directions for a while. During that time, I poured myself into refining my craft and connecting with new people—one of whom happened to be Deanna, a talented model you’ve seen featured in my work. 

I was hanging out on the couch one day when my phone started ringing. I glanced down and saw it was Kenny—completely unexpected! At first, I wondered if it might be a pocket dial, but nope, he intentionally called. He’d noticed my recent work with Deanna and wanted to team up with her, too. I couldn’t help feeling both shocked and honored, because he could’ve just worked with her. Instead, he came to me, and we slipped right back into our old rapport. After hashing out details, I had to ask, “So, where’ve you been, bro?” But honestly, it didn’t matter. He was alive, well, and we were both in a great place to reconnect.

Right after I got off the phone with Kenny, I immediately reached out to Deanna—only to find out she was just about to call me, too! Turns out, we both had the same idea in mind. What’s funny is we had literally just been talking about her connecting with more people to expand her reach a few days earlier, and then Kenny shows up. She mentioned she’d love for me to join them on this shoot, and I told her I’d absolutely be in if my schedule allowed.

I also made sure to hype up Kenny’s skills—he’s got a broad eye for concepts and can piece together a theme for a shoot like nobody’s business. Plus, he’s fantastic at posing subjects, which I knew would be awesome for Deanna as she continues to broaden her range and grow her portfolio.

Fast forward to the shoot in Downtown Denver. By the time I arrived, Kenny and Deanna had already been snapping away for a couple of hours. I eased in without trying to hijack the energy—just playing third wheel and offering a helping hand. Deanna looked incredible, rocking a new hair color I hadn’t seen before, and I couldn’t resist grabbing a few shots of my own.

The best part was how Kenny and I synced right up on set, like we’d never skipped a beat. Working alongside Deanna—someone I share both a genuine friendship and creative spark with—just added to the fun. It had been ages since I collaborated with another photographer this closely, and it felt great dusting off some old techniques. Kenny’s presence lit that spark for me again, and suddenly my creative juices were flowing in full force.

Now that the band’s back together—with a few fresh additions—I’m pretty sure these kinds of shoots are just the beginning for Kenny and me. There’s so much creative energy when we feed off each other, and that collaboration always inspires an entirely new set of ideas. I’m thrilled that we’re back in sync, and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.