PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHING PENNHURST ASYLUM
What began as a simple adventure into the abandoned Pennhurst State School in Pennsylvania became a quiet confrontation with history. Each hallway felt like a time capsule, every object a remnant of lives once held within its walls. Photographing Pennhurst was not about capturing decay, but preserving memory before it disappears.
The experience inspired a story about the importance of keeping the past alive, even when it is uncomfortable. We photograph the descent of forgotten places not to glorify ruin, but to remember what was human within them. This series is both a record and a reflection — a way of keeping history alive through the lens before it fades completely.
Eclipse of Us follows a newlywed couple as they adjust to life in a tightly knit community developing nuclear technology, drawing heavy inspiration from the real-world events of Chernobyl. As the husband becomes increasingly consumed by his work, the pressures of secrecy, ambition, and radiation exposure strain both his marriage and his health. The emotional distance between the couple mirrors the growing instability of the reactor itself, culminating in a disastrous mistake that threatens not only their relationship but the community around them.
Through its use of XR technology, the film immerses viewers directly into this unraveling world, making the collapse feel both deeply personal and hauntingly expansive.
In Iceland, Kat Severin and I documented how the country’s commitment to protecting its land has not only preserved its natural beauty but also strengthened its economy, with sustainable tourism becoming a cornerstone of national growth. The footage we gathered reveals the direct connection between environmental stewardship and economic resilience—something the U.S. has struggled to embrace as funding for parks and protected lands continues to decline.
By contrasting Iceland’s proactive conservation with America’s more extractive tourism methods, we aim to spark a dialogue about how valuing the environment can benefit both people and place.