Life isn’t a straight line - things we want don’t work out, special moments aren’t as perfect as we hoped but the journey is the special ingredient of our lives - what makes us different - would we want perfection, to be like everyone else. To be human is to want more and that means taking risks. And if we take a risk it may fail. And that’s the moment to cherish.
Behind every person is doubt, uncertainty and fear but there’s a real amazing human lurking in there
These uncertainties can be hard to overcome - and I feel this too. I am naturally shy so I tend to avoid social interactions and sometimes I hate that about myself - and I tell myself stories to affirm that it is cool to be aloof but I admire people who are natural with others
And I’m 99% sure people who know me think I am confident and outgoing as I’ve developed a cover story to get through social situations.
And my insight is that it is easy to judge others and beliefs the story they present but it is worthwhile to take a second look - that second look can make all the difference
This shot aimed to capture all that - it is not close to what I wanted but it glances it - and special thanks to @yennih_vargas
Producer @karla_batte_producer
Style @gabriela.lopez_producer
MUAH @loe_art_
In 2021, I set out to pursue one of my Twenty One Summers, and somewhere along the way it became a new way of living.
What started as an idea has taken me across Vietnam, France, Mexico, New York, Botswana and Cuba—chasing images and stories
After decades in technology, I chose to step into something far less certain. Not because I had arrived, but because my own story wasn’t yet told
It forced me to confront a simple question: was I living my dreams or had I become comfortable?
Most of what held me back were blind spots of my own making.
I am not even close to my own destination. I’m on a new journey and one that I hope has many turns or pivots
If you want to learn more about Twenty One Summers and Blind Spots learn about our upcoming book - Twenty One Summers - link in my bio
This image was a dream for me - capturing a beautiful mechanic at work in Cuba - showing the power, capability and resilience of the Cubano
Model @acanda_97
Producer @karla_batte_producer
Art @loe_art_
Style @gabriela.lopez_producer
Painting Cuba
During my stay in Cuba, I learned a lot about the history of the country.
It is a beautiful island in the Caribbean and has a huge amount to offer the world - if we would simply allow them the freedom they deserve
I was struck at the generosity, tenacity, joy and talent of the people
In every corner, people smile and greet you warmly
Despite their struggles
An amazing country
I asked the brilliant local artist Loe (@loe_art_ ) to paint the beautiful Dayanis (@dayivedey ) with only one condition
Paint her as he imagines the people of his country
This is his creation
The talented @gabriela.lopez_producer created the scene
And my favorite producer @karla_batte_producer did as she always does - organized us, inspired us, and kept us going until it was perfect
This is their work
How a Ballerina tests the temperature of the water
As part of exploring photography I wanted to try a few things. Be more whimsical, try to make use of interesting spaces and explore deeper ideas of people. This is an attempt
Karla found a wonderful old mansion in Havana. The owner, an intriguing local with a love for the building but starved of the resources to maintain it due to unnecessary external pressures, welcomed us unconditionally
Our model, you may know Laura is a ballerina with the Cuban ballet company and a complete professional. She was open to the idea and fully embraced our process
This room stumped me - so much white and reflection. Could I capture an image? You tell me
My idea was “how would a ballerina test the water in a bathtub?”
And this is the image we made as a team
Model @laura_kamila_rojas
Producer @karla_batte_producer
Style @gabriela.lopez_producer
MUAH Art @loe_art_
Clicker @derrick_connell
“Our basic nature as humans is good”
We are in very challenging times, where it feels like we all being pitted against one another, in some unending battle to have an opinion and be right
Social media makes it easy to forget there is another human on the end of our views and therefore it is easy to dehumanize and treat others poorly
I took this photograph to remind us of our basic shared values and our instinct to help when others need it
In my experience humans rush to help others, try to be of service, ask and value help if they need it and in my experience most people are good and want to be better
My deepest wish is we can find a way to turn down the negative volume and find a way to protect and help all the people out there who need us
Model @anaysdizpe and ChiChi
Producer @karla_batte_producer
Style @gabriela.lopezgonzalez
MUAH and rain maker @loe_art_
Location and guide @michaelchinnici
#cuba #life #humanity #drama
Coming into 2026 I am working to expand my horizons into new arenas. I find myself picking things that suit me - where I have skills, experience or expertise. But I want to try new things. I have major blinds spots when it comes to breaking habits. Do you have the same issue? This is a topic I am exploring with @thomaswernerprojects in a book we are co-authoring. I’d love to hear your insights on ways you have found and overcome your blind spots
#blindspots #21summers #oaxaca #dayofthedead
Guide @sinafalkerphotography
Cuban man
I spent a lot of time in Cuba last summer. A wonderful and special country. It is also a country struggling to survive - when it shouldn’t have to struggle. It is a country filled with people who take care of each other, find creative ways to live and, much like my home country, Ireland in the 1980s when we had a crippled economy, they have to deal with significant migration. I emigrated to London when I was 21 to find work. I wish Ireland had jobs back then but it didn’t. London was awesome for the most and people welcomed me. People leave Cuba to work. They wish they could stay. But they are not welcome?
They are amazing people - I would hire so many Cubans for their work effort, creativity and honor.
This is a picture of a Cuban man. He is a kind beautiful soul and my friend. He wants nothing more than to be creative, love his life and work. He lives in Havana. Book him.
#cuba #kindness #cruelworld
Model @officialsantiagoduran
Producer @karla_batte_producer
Style @gabriela.lopezgonzalez
MUAH @loe_art_
Leaving 2025 with mixed feelings - it was a really terrific year, but it was not without its challenges!
I had a few goals for 2025 - family, photography, snowboard and mountain bike skills, co-author a book and learn more!
On one hand the year unfolded well - the trip to Cuba was phenomenal. However, my storytelling needs work - and potentially I have reached a ceiling. I will use 2026 to discover if I have more creative juice.
The snowboarding was fun - I wanted to do a forward roll from a park jump. I tried - and picked up a knee injury ending the season. Will I try again this year?
Connecting with family is always A+ and reminds me how much I love them, and it makes me feel guilty when I make choices to use my time for other things.
Downhill mountain biking is a thrill - and it is a sport that is 80% mental. The mental strength required to improve is humbling. And I felt fear many times this summer and I didn’t always overcome it. I didn’t leave it all on the field. Can I improve my mental strength in 2026?
I’m delighted that Spring 2026 will bring the co-authored book!
I learned a few new things, but I did not truly learn a new topic deeply.
Upon reflection 2025 was a good year, leaving me with areas to improve in 26 - break through my creative ceiling, strengthen my mental strength, friends and family, publish the book, and pursue a new skill deeply!
2025 was about the people
@debbie_crafty@leedingblanche@thomaswernerprojects@xixi.a.style@jojodaydream@karla_batte_producer@gabriela.lopezgonzalez@loe_art_@michaelchinnici@acanda_97@yennih_vargas@laura_kamila_rojas@yus_yus_rodriguez@kmy.98@la_mulata_esa_@officialsantiagoduran@sombras_de_streets@gavmancars@caro.1ineconn3ll@noah.c34@alex.connell09@connell1643@robbie_connell@sinafalkerphotography@erindonalsonphotography@onerayner@carnipanda_tattoo@aeron_m_lee
Merry Xmas one and all. Christmas is a magical time - fairy lights, presents, good food, time to relax with friends and family hunkered down at home watching old movies. It can also be a hard time for those alone or in need. If you can spare some change or donations to gift to those in need, or spend a few minutes with a neighbor this is your chance to spread some good cheer.
Thanks to the lovely @jojodaydream for collaborating on this shot.
#Christmas #Magic #Portrait #2025 #photography
As we head into the end of the year it is normal to contemplate how things went throughout the year. What does next year look like. We all make plans - big and small but many of us don’t, including myself, don’t always finish what we start or want to complete, even though it is a deeply cherished dream. I wonder why that is? There are many reasons - cost, time, opportunity but one big blocker are our blind spots. The inner dialogue that holds us back - am I good enough? Can I do it? What will other people think of me if I do something new? What if I fail. This picture aimed to capture a moment of reflection - the smoke a symbol of the haze in our own heads - our own voices holding us back. I wonder what would happen if we could stop or overcome the voices and truly accomplish all we want in life. Humans are incredible - look at what we have accomplished as a species and innovations continue in every domains. So can we innovate inside our own minds - YES - and that is a topic I will explore more in 2026.
Once again, the brilliant team made this shot a reality. I had an idea but speaking honestly, I would not have captured it alone. It required a team - makeup and hair from the creative mind of @loe_art_ , the style and wisdom from @gabriela.lopezgonzalez and my wonderful friend and producer @karla_batte_producer . The highlight of my year was working with these brilliant people, and if I could spend every day creating with them I would.
model @yennih_vargas
producer @karla_batte_producer
style @gabriela.lopezgonzalez
MUAH @loe_art_
#photoshoot #fashion #mindset
The inspiration for this shot was simple and complicated at the same time - like life
In this shot is a ballerina in the Cuban Ballet Company - she has worked her entire life to perfect her skills, her talent and her career.
But in my imagination, late at night - like us all - she has moments of doubt. Questions about what the future holds for her - can I make it? Will the audience see me? Will I break out? Can I succeed? And most importantly - can I have an impact?
The team found a perfect location in Havana. A large mansion house. The owner is a lovely man, proud of his home, and he welcomed us in.
This room spoke to me - the simple furniture, the color and the open window. It all seemed perfect for the story
And this is the shot the team helped create - I hope you like it
Model @laura_kamila_rojas
Producer @karla_batte_producer
Stylist @gabriela.lopezgonzalez
MUAH @loe_art_
#ballerina #fineart #photoshoot
