When I began my photographic journey, I found myself building upon my interests and concerns as an artist and feminist. The value and importance placed on a woman’s appearance, and the beauty culture in general, struck me as excessive at times. While this has not changed for me, the focus of my present work has changed. I took a trip to Italy a number of years ago and fell in love with everything about it. It became something I had to do as often as possible. Each successive trip made me only want to be there more, to study it, explore it, and photograph it. In a way, this is tougher than it might seem. First of all, my ability to go to Italy is limited by personal, financial and professional constraints. Certainly in the days of Covid-19, this has become just a dream. My work now has been to go back through my many photos that I've been fortunate to take and find those that best express my vision. So needless to say, this is where my work is at present.
Traveling to Italy in the past I was always looking for new places to explore while never abandoning those I’ve already found and have developed a wonderful relationship with. Then I've combined being a “tourist” with efforts to be a “working photographer,” documenting what I see, all the while trying to express how I feel about where I am. My camera is always with me, yet I sometimes miss the shots that I would have loved to get when I’m in the wrong mode. But that is what happens when you’re juggling these somewhat different roles. I’ve learned to live with this and accept it at this stage of life, albeit incredibly frustrating at times. I often wish that my primary role was defined as a photographer so that I could justify taking the time I need to find the perfect location, set up the perfect shot, and wait for the perfect light. But for now I’ve learned not to be so hard on myself, to let go a little, take as many photos as I can when I find my perfect shot, and then work to make them into something great.
At home I sort through and work on my photos, which I do to a minimal degree to keep them authentic. That's when I feel like the trip begins all over again. I really start to feel like I’m standing in front of that spot again, enjoying the people or the little things that make Italy so special, the beauty and serenity that I found in the landscape. Maybe sometime in the future I will be able to be there again. I hope that people see my images and enjoy them. For me, there is joy in going through the entire process, from capture to print, and know that I’ve brought home for myself, a little bit of Italy.