Through my work in the public humanities and being immersed in what connects us and makes us human, I am increasingly drawn to photographing people. I have been exploring the world of street photography and am trying to gain experience photographing people I encounter.

The more I interact with people as I photograph them, whether through a conversation, or simple eye contact, or just observation, the more I’m fascinated by the dichotomy of how we are all so much alike as human beings, and yet as unique individuals have such very different cultural and life experiences. This dancer is part of the Many Moccasins dance troupe of the Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) tribe of Winnebago, Nebraska. Photographed at the Indian Center in Lincoln

Guadalupe Dancer, Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Guadalupe Dancer, Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Hispanic dancer, Norfolk, Nebraska

Hispanic dancer, Norfolk, Nebraska

Guadalupe Dancers members, Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Guadalupe Dancers members, Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Lakota hoop dancer, Norfolk, Nebraska

Lakota hoop dancer, Norfolk, Nebraska

Powwow dancer, Winnebago, Nebraska

Powwow dancer, Winnebago, Nebraska

Dance demonstrators at the Sheldon Museum of Art, Lincoln, Nebraska

Dance demonstrators at the Sheldon Museum of Art, Lincoln, Nebraska

Jumping for joy at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska

Jumping for joy at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska

Baton twirler warm-ups before a University of Nebraska football game, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln

Baton twirler warm-ups before a University of Nebraska football game, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln

Dancers from the Asian Community & Cultural Center, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln

Dancers from the Asian Community & Cultural Center, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln

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DJ at the National Youth Poet Laureate competition, Omaha, Nebraska

DJ at the National Youth Poet Laureate competition, Omaha, Nebraska

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Saddling up to round up some cattle in the Nebraska Sandhills

Saddling up to round up some cattle in the Nebraska Sandhills

Coffee shop music at the Charging Station, Havelock

Coffee shop music at the Charging Station, Havelock

A street photography workshop in Paris, France in 2022 was a defining moment for me as a photographer. For a full week, I approached strangers on the streets of Paris and asked to take their photos. (In some cases, if they were passing by and I had a fleeting moment, there was no chance to ask first). This was way out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed every moment of it. This couple was from Belgium and were hanging out outside the Louvre; when I asked if I could photograph them, they embraced it.

First date in Paris

First date in Paris

Joyfully roller skating outside the Louvre

Joyfully roller skating outside the Louvre

Working on his reflexes in Paris

Working on his reflexes in Paris

As this woman prepared to get married, I caught her eye, lifted my camera, and lifted my eyebrow to ask permission. She smiled slightly and let me make a few photographs of her. We never spoke.

As this woman prepared to get married, I caught her eye, lifted my camera, and lifted my eyebrow to ask permission. She smiled slightly and let me make a few photographs of her. We never spoke.

A trip to New York City in 2024 was another opportunity to try some street photography. This subway musician was more than happy to humor me.

It took me a minute to notice the bird on this gentleman's shoulder

It took me a minute to notice the bird on this gentleman's shoulder

Chinatown cafe

Chinatown cafe

Passing on the streets of NYC

Passing on the streets of NYC

Accordion player in Central Park, NYC

Accordion player in Central Park, NYC

Central park musician

Central park musician

Wedding photos in Central Park

Wedding photos in Central Park

Penn Station, NYC

Penn Station, NYC