Seeing things differently, on purpose
SM Photography
Booking in Southwest Ohio available-Travel options available
I'm a photographer, storyteller, and veteran with a soft spot for the strange and beautiful. I work at the edge of reflection and reality, using light, shadow, and a little chaos to capture the way things feel.
Art
My art work often plays with the act of seeing itself. I use glass, reflections, and layered materials to build compositions that feel slightly off in a way that’s intentional. I’m not chasing realism. I’m more interested in the feeling you get when you look at something familiar and it suddenly feels strange.I like work that sits in a space between clarity and confusion. Things that feel dreamy but grounded. I lean into imperfection and unpredictability, especially in the studio. I want the final image to reflect a process that was a little messy, a little intuitive, and a lot about curiosity.
Cityscapes
Cities feel like living puzzles. I don’t shoot them to show where I’ve been, I shoot them to show how it felt to stand there. I’m drawn to reflections, quiet corners, and the way light hits buildings just before everything turns blue. I like the empty early hours and the way cities breathe when no one’s paying attention.I don’t look for the postcard view. I want to capture atmosphere — the grit, the softness, the overlooked parts that still hold presence. My cityscapes are more about tone than location. You might not recognize the place, but I hope the feeling comes through.
Nature
Nature is where I go to slow down. I don’t need dramatic views or sweeping landscapes. I’m more interested in texture and detail, like the way light filters through branches or the way water holds onto reflections just long enough. It’s quiet work that gives back what you put into it, and I try to stay patient enough to notice the small stuff.I like to shoot nature like it’s a portrait. Everything has a presence, even in stillness. A single leaf can hold as much tension as a crowded scene. It’s not about capturing everything, it’s about noticing something.
People
Photographing people is about building trust, even if it only lasts a few minutes. I don’t want perfect poses or forced smiles. I want what makes someone feel like themselves. That might be in the way they look away, the way they fidget, or the way they carry themselves when they think no one’s watching. I try to meet people where they are and let the camera do the quiet work.I like portraits that feel lived in. I don’t need everything to be in focus or technically flawless. I care more about what the image says about the person in it. Whether it’s a formal shoot or something more casual, I approach it all the same way — stay present, stay curious, and don’t force it.
Sports
Sports photography feels like chasing lightning with a camera. I’m drawn to the pace and unpredictability, but it’s the emotion that keeps me coming back. I don’t just want the goal or the tackle. I want the grit in someone’s jaw right before the whistle blows, the tension in a sideline stare, the pause in a crowded moment that somehow feels still. Every match has a rhythm, and I try to find the beat no one else is listening for.I’ve covered everything from pro soccer to college games and local fields. Each space has its own energy, and I shoot to honor that without overcomplicating it. I keep my setup simple so I can move fast and stay present. I work best when I can blend into the environment and wait for the moment that feels both spontaneous and inevitable. That’s what I’m always looking for. The image that hits you even if you’ve never watched the sport in your life.