Traveling has been a passion of mine since I got my first passport at 6 months old (no joke!) I sat on my moms lap and made gaga sounds at the photographer. I started traveling alone at age 6 to visit my Aunt in Missouri every Summer. I haven't stopped since. Where I go, my camera follows. I love experiencing new places and capturing each one in my own way.
REBIRTH
“I reached out to Melissa in hopes of her photographing me to capture this special and symbolic time of my life. The last three years have felt, at times, like literal hell. Now, it is as if I am being rebirthed into a powerful time of femininity, grace and peace that has been in me all along, but I hadn’t fully recognized myself.
I thought I was adaptable. I thought I was flexible. I thought I was capable of making things work in any situation and that my transition from NYC to San Diego would be a breeze. I had no idea what was waiting for me on the other side of the country when I moved in 2012. The Universe had more turbulent plans for me…to help me learn the importance of embracing impermanence, forcing me to truly live in the moment, to let go of things and rid myself of attachments to people and objects.
It took me being perpetually sick, abused and transient to learn these difficult lessons and start being brutally honest with myself about what I need, desire and deserve to give and receive. Eventually, I began to surrender to whatever situation was in front of me, because as it turns out, only pain comes with resistance. Kindness is non-negotiable. Accountability is essential. Go with the flow, let it be, keep moving forward, que sera sera: These are all clichés for a reason. Life lessons are learned abundantly in real-time, if you allow them.”
