sometimes you have to walk far enough away from certain things, even certain people, to realize that they’re exactly what you need in your life. over the past year and a half—amidst COVID-19, quarantines, singleness, friendship break-ups, national + international violence across the world, cancel culture, toxic social media behaviors, and all of the negative triggers attached to each of those things—i’ve walked away from a lot. it’s brought me closer to myself. it’s made me more present. it’s made me uncertain. lonely. optimistic. patient. and aware of several things i’m longing for in life.
i want to feel close to people again (outside of my family and about three friends, i feel really disconnected to the world around me). i want to start traveling again. this whole story is from a family trip to oregon. it was amazing, to see my loved ones, but also to just get out of the city and play somewhere new. i want to start investing my time and resources into making new opportunities for myself—in business, in acting, in my communities. and i want to fall in love with creating again. this shoot was a first step toward that last one.
🙇🏽♂️ back when we used to run [the no names], @kennethkyrell and i had a phrase we tried to follow each day: “live editorially.” over the past few years, my style in front of and behind the camera’s evolved, but recently, i think that editorial spirit’s gotten a little soft. last week, we visited the dunes in reedsport and i can’t remember the last time i was so excited to just create. my dad trekked out into the wilderness with me and we had a blast playing in this big ass sandbox. as we enter a new season, i want to more of that magic in my life. in my work. in my day to day. it really changes everything. ✨
the past few days, i just shot pictures and outfits that i was happy to share. not for likes. not for a campaign. just for fun. it felt like 2014 or 2016, back when i really got excited to prep and produce a shoot. when i used to do travel coverage and trend guides because it fueled me. that’s what i’m looking for.
that’s what i want.
this story is inspired by the beauty of nature and the passing of time, as summer ends and fall begins. // wearing a bunch of ASOS + COS.
