My Story

Son of an American father and Italian mother.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, but spent my toddler years in California, Kansas, Georgia, and here and there across the United States (a result of being in a military family).

My early elementary years were enjoyed in Germany, followed by late elementary, middle school and junior high in Italy.

 

High school I attended in Kansas however, where I later enrolled at Kansas State University.

Attempting to finish a double major in Public Relations & Theater + a double minor in Theater & Women’s Studies + a B.A. in Italian + being enrolled in the ROTC  program + DJ’ing nights at the local station + too many road trips = me dropping out of school completely confused after 3 years because I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do with my life.

2001 brought many new changes for me, not only the birth of my beautiful daughter, Jaida, but also the decision to move to New York City to pursue a career in acting.

For five years I pursued acting, writing, and every other form of “the arts” I could get my hands on while maintaining a multitude of freelance jobs in the nightlife and service industry. Along with the hunger for “all things artistic” came the desire to make photography a major part of my life. Although it had been a hobby of mine during high school, it officially became my profession after I moved to NYC. I dove headfirst into this new world and created a small name (as well as a niche of work) for myself in event and fashion photography, and digital media creation.

   

In 2011 I accepted a position for a nonprofit organization and discovered a side to photography I had not previously seen; offering my services to people who used my work to raise money and services for those in need. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of donating my time every few years to various organizations throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, not only through photography but also the creation of documentaries and short films.

In 2014, after completing a photoshoot for a client in Paris, I began feeling the desire to broaden my horizons and look for work outside of the United States. Like many photographers, I had always worked a second job. During my years in New York, this had been Event Coordinating and Restaurant Management. Although I was quite good at (and enjoyed) the hospitality field, I was hungry to find work centered around my true passion, photography.

In 2015 I was offered a teaching position in Italy. I took it, ready to face new challenges in a different part of the world. Being the son of an Italian citizen, and having spent a number of years in Italy during my youth, I was familiar with its language and customs.

For several years I worked as a Photography professor for the University Studies Abroad Consortium at I.U.S.V.E. University here in Verona, as well as an English professor for the Moodart school of fashion. On occasion I also taught as a substitute for a few of the local high schools.

In 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, with schools closing and my workload dropping by about 75%, I entered the NFT space, and found it \to be not only a welcome outlet for my photography, but a much needed source of income as well. Unexpectedly, I found a share of success in web3, and have been able to travel, speak at conferences and have my work shown in numerous galleries and exhibitions around the world.

As Covid had slowly but surely taken away my positions in teaching, I made web3 my full-time commitment, even taking a position as the Head of Community for PictureThis in 2022.

In my free time, I’m able to take on freelance jobs for private clients both in Europe and abroad, as well as as creating my own photography and producing multimedia projects.