For Your Eyez Only - Photographer & Cinematographer

Working out of the AKELA Studio space has been a huge catalyst in expanding my growth as a photographer. Having access to a dedicated, creative environment allowed me to experiment more intentionally, collaborate with other artists, and refine both my technical skills and visual storytelling. The space pushed me to treat photography not just as a passion, but as a craft and profession—encouraging consistency, creativity, and confidence in my work.

Shooting on film over the last year has slowed me down in the best way possible. It’s taught me patience—being intentional with each frame, trusting the process, and embracing the wait between pressing the shutter and seeing the final image. That rhythm rekindled my love for photography, reminding me why I picked up a camera in the first place: to be present, to observe more carefully, and to fall back in love with the craft rather than chasing immediacy.

Typi non habent claritatem insitam; est usus legentis in iis qui facit eorum claritatem. Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod ii legunt saepius. Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum.

Mirum est notare quam littera gothica, quam nunc putamus parum claram, anteposuerit litterarum formas humanitatis per seacula quarta decima et quinta decima. Eodem modo typi, qui nunc nobis videntur parum clari, fiant sollemnes in futurum.

Meet Tommie Hollis — a writer, blogger, and emerging artist based in Anchorage. I first came across her through her striking modeling work with @gutterflowers.studio and my interest only deepened when I discovered her interest for writing.

“When I started revisiting the things that made me who I am—writing, photography, and creating again—I’m doing the things that made me…me,” she shared during our recent shoot.

Between portraits and conversation, I learned that Tommie has a soft spot for espresso martinis—and we both agreed that Ginger serves one of the best in town.

You can follow Tommie’s work and thoughts on Substack, where she continues to explore the intersections of identity and life-itself.

All shot on film with the Leica M6, Hasselblad 500CM, and the Pentax 67

Shooting the Pacific Northwest on film feels like a natural pairing—moody light, deep greens, fog, and coastline all rendered with a softness digital rarely captures the same way. Film holds the region’s quiet drama: the way overcast skies stretch tones, how rain-dampened landscapes feel textured and alive.

Each frame feels intentional, matching the slower pace of misty mornings, winding roads, and lingering light. It turns the act of photographing the PNW into something reflective, almost meditative, letting the landscape speak in its own time.

Shooting film sporadically through the streets of downtown Anchorage with Juliah felt raw and unplanned in the best way. We moved with the city—chasing light between buildings, embracing imperfections, and letting moments unfold naturally without overthinking each frame.

The unpredictability of film paired with the grit and quiet energy of downtown made the shoot feel honest and alive, capturing something fleeting and real in the process.

All shot on the Leica M6

Shoutout to Maria Morgan for working with me in getting the concept for this dive bar photoshoot on film to come together. And thanks to my wife, Nicole, for always being down to get worked into these shoots.

Cameras: Leica M6 & Hasselblad 500CM
Film Stocks: Cinestill 800T & Portra 800

The Beauty of the Mundane was a film shoot rooted in the idea that there’s meaning in simply being. The concept centered on stillness—quiet moments, idle time, and the overlooked beauty of doing nothing.

It was a reminder that life doesn’t always need to be productive to be valuable, and that presence itself can be enough.

Shooting my life on film over the last two years has been a lesson in slowing down and paying attention. It’s taught me patience, intention, and trust—both in the process and in myself—by reminding me that not every moment needs to be rushed or perfected.

Film pushed me to be present, to value everyday moments, and to document life as it unfolds rather than trying to control it. In doing so, it reshaped photography from something I do into something I live with.

Alone at night, where the machines confess and talk more than people do

Shoutout to Tabby for working with me on this laundromat concept.

All shot on the Leica M6 & Pentax 67.

Shooting boudoir in the studio has meant more to me than just creating images—it’s been about trust, responsibility, and care. Every session is rooted in the vulnerability these women bring into the space, and I never take lightly the trust they place in me to make them feel safe, respected, and seen.

Creating an environment where they can be comfortable in their own skin, set boundaries, and feel empowered has been just as important as the final photographs. Those moments of confidence, softness, and strength are what make this work deeply meaningful to me.

Doing a Wong Kar Wai–inspired shoot felt like stepping into a world driven by mood, motion, and emotion rather than perfection. I leaned into blur, color, and atmosphere, letting moments feel fleeting and unresolved instead of overly polished.

The process was more about capturing feeling than form—loneliness, intimacy, and nostalgia living in the in-between frames. It challenged me to trust instinct and emotion, creating images that feel cinematic, imperfect, and deeply human.

Shooting cityscapes and landscapes has taught me how different environments tell their own stories through light, scale, and texture.

Cities offer movement and energy, while landscapes invite stillness and reflection. Together, they’ve helped me balance chaos and calm, sharpening how I see and compose the world around me.

Model: Rachel Lyn

Studio: Pose & Post AK

This was one of the first photoshoots I’ve done where I was in a studio that had set furniture and there was not much for me to do to stylize things. However, it was a wonderful challenge and the end results came out much better than I had anticipated. Rachelle & Tara (owners & set designers) were able to create an atmosphere that Rachel and I were easily able to shoot in and work so seamlessly in.