Photographing the Temporary

The importance of photographing one's living space and the inaugural Inglewood Photo Festival.

Why I’m Photographing My Temporary Living Space

After the fire in Altadena, everything shifted—physically, emotionally, and creatively. I lost the home where I had lived, worked, and made countless photographs over the years. That space had been a part of me, and while I hadn’t documented it with much intention, I’d made images there from time to time—fragments of daily life that now feel like small acts of preservation.

Looking back at those photographs now, I realize just how important they are. They memorialize more than the rooms or the furniture—they reflect the life my family and I lived within those walls: the way light came through a particular window, the cluttered desk, the corner of the kitchen where conversations always seemed to happen. It’s not the stuff I miss most; it’s the sense of home, and those photographs help me hold on to it.

Now, in this temporary living space, I find myself reaching for the camera again. Not because the space is remarkable or photogenic in any conventional sense, but because it reflects where I am right now. And that matters.

What I’ve come to realize is that photographing where I live—no matter how transient or imperfect—is a way of acknowledging my life as it is. It’s a way to slow down and say, This is part of the story, too.

There’s a kind of vulnerability in making images of a space that isn’t quite yours, that holds none of the comforts you once took for granted. But there’s clarity in it, too. These photographs aren’t about aesthetics. They’re about truth. They’re about honoring what life feels and looks like in the midst of rebuilding.

Photography has always helped me make sense of things. It grounds me. And in this in-between space, it’s helping me stay connected to who I am, even as the details of my surroundings have changed. It’s a reminder that meaning isn’t confined to what we’ve lost—it can be found in what we’re living through now.

So I photograph this space—not because it’s forever, but because it’s part of the journey. And because this, too, deserves to be seen.

Inglewood Photo Festival – Saturday, May 24, 2025

This weekend, I’m honored to participate in the inaugural Inglewood Photo Festival, a new celebration of photography and community in the heart of Inglewood. The festival runs Saturday, May 24, from 12 PM to 7 PM at 234 S. Market Street, right next to the historic Miracle Theater.

The festival features exhibitions from an incredible lineup of photographers, including Janette Beckman, John Simmons, Frank Jackson, Greg Hatton, and Maria Abranches—this year’s recipient of the festival’s first annual Book Grant for her project Here is Maria.

I’ll be leading two panel discussions as part of the day’s programming at the Miracle Theater (226 S. Market Street):

• 2:45 PM – Artist Talk: Telling Our Own Stories
  A conversation with featured photographers on the power of authorship, identity, and storytelling through the lens. We'll explore how personal and cultural histories shape visual narratives, and why ownership of one's story is more vital than ever.

• 4:15 PM – Building a Photographic Life
  A candid discussion about what it means to sustain a creative life in photography—balancing personal work, community engagement, and the evolving challenges of the photo industry. We’ll talk about the paths we take, the pivots we make, and how we stay inspired.

Earlier in the day, you can also catch:

• 1:00 PM – Opening remarks and Book Grant presentation honoring Maria Abranches

• 1:15 PM – In Solidarity by Michelle Magdalena, a visual presentation on Indigenous land struggles

• 1:45 PM – DSLR Scanning Demo by Freestyle Photo & Imaging Supplies

For full details and to RSVP, visit the Inglewood Photo Festival website.