SICILY (AND HOW IT STARTED…SORTA)
I was washing my face when it hit me. One of those lightbulb moments that’s so obvious you’re almost embarrassed that it took you so long to realize it. So while Clique “clicked” into place in my bathroom in Brooklyn, it was years in the making, and again, so painfully obvious when you hear the whole of it.
I grew up (yeah, we’re going all the way to the beginning) in Encinitas, California, an idyllic surf town in Southern California known for its burritos, beaches, pro surfers, pro skaters, and laidback lifestyle. In high school I gravitated towards the arts (me and math? not a vibe!) and joined the yearbook team as soon as I was eligible. We got to play with Canon DSLRs and had the privilege of telling the story of our school and the school year, a responsibility I truly loved. In looking back, I see how this was my first example of the cheesy-but-true saying “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” because even outside of school hours, my friends and I were doing yearbook type work; we’d go thrifting, style ourselves then go wander the neighborhood and have photoshoots — pretty much every weekend. What a privilege it is to be a young person, living your full expression without the fear of “real life” and all its financial and societal responsibilities. But instead of turning what I was good at and loved into a real job, I got my English degree, going on to work in media, social media, and marketing.
For a time I was able to feel creatively fulfilled in this area; as a social manager I was oftentimes acting as a photographer and art director, directing one off shoots and feeling medium-alive. But then… I started traveling in my 20s, a desire that was fueled by the love of travel instilled in me by my father (a man who really did the most when I was a kid: taking me to Alaska every summer to salmon fish, Fiji for surf trips, Hawaii to visit my oldest sister, and camping trips along the west coast once a quarter).
As the documentarian of my friend group, I took so much joy in being the designated photographer and social media expert. I love my friends, but some people just don’t know how to take a photo to save their life. Much like I don’t know how to add a 20% tip without using the calculator app. We all have our skills and strong suits.
After a trip to Sicily in 2016, I was like, “hold up, these photos are really good.” Something had shifted. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this was my happy place. Taking photos of real people, using the natural landscape and architecture for framing, no lighting set up or hair and makeup team, no models or photoshop. Just the pure, unadulterated feeling of traveling with your friends in far off lands. And once I started posting photos from that trip, others agreed. I had three photo shows in one summer, adorning walls with pictures of my friends and the places we’ve been lucky enough to experience. Here are some photos from that particular adventure. The cobblestone streets and local flora our set, my friends who all saved up enough money to hop across the pond my muses, the golden sun my light.
Pro tip: if viewing gallery on desktop, click into each photo to see full size.
After this positive feedback to my photography, I decided I wanted to be the next Annie Leibowitz of my generation. Should be easy, right? While I’m no Annie, I have had the honor of shooting for brands as a freelance photographer for almost 10 years (check out my day job stuff here). Once I moved to New York, the land of opportunity, something strange happened. I didn’t want to be a hot shot photographer. I didn’t want to shoot Vogue covers or fashion campaigns. So I settled into my role as an art director and copywriter, shooting for smaller brands and start ups on the side. But something was still missing.
Fast forward to last summer in Greece, we were staying at an incredible Airbnb right on the water. Literally. Our lodging was an old boat garage and when the tide was high, waves would crash onto the house. There were about 10 of these accommodations in our secluded cove, and one was being occupied by an Australian family, including this little mulleted rascal who fished all day every day, to little to no results, but always with so much optimism and conviction. I snapped a few photos of the kid in question fishing with his grandpa and sent them to his mom. Her reaction below.
So you’re probably thinking, ohh so then she realized she could do this for a living. No, not yet guys. It would take another six months a soul crushing New York winter, a failed relationship, and some self reflection to get to Clique. A personal cultural reset. A cocktail that mixes all my passions and talents into one creative being.
Join my clique, I’d love to have you!