Photography has been my creative language since 2016. From documenting food culture in Chicago during my internship at the Uptown Chamber of Commerce to exploring shadows and reflections as proof of existence, I seek to capture moments that tell compelling stories. With my internship at the Chamber of Commerce, I have the pleasure of meeting small, local business owners and photographing their food for promotion.

I had such a great time with my assignments. I love trying new restaurants, meeting new people, and photographing is always fun. While it was amazing to gain experience in the field, it was always a great opportunity to network and get my name out there. 

The restaurant owners were the nicest, most cooperative, and most communicative people, and I would help them out again and again. I did food photography for a little bit in 2019 for a family friend, but my experience with the internship was unique because of the variety of foods I was photographing: Vietnamese, Thai, Ethiopian, baked goods, and Oaxacan. It was my first time trying Oaxacan food, and it was very delicious. 

My friend Jenny did her senior art thesis project on food around the world and struck up an interesting conversation about how food is different all over the world, yet it brings us together. It’s a conversation starter; everyone has their own taste, and different countries show that firsthand.