For my birthday, I wanted to do something different—something that truly spoke to me. Every time a friend asked, “What are you doing for your birthday?” my answer kept changing. First, it was, “Oh, maybe a birthday trip.” Then, “Maybe a birthday dinner?” And later, “How about a solo trip?”

Finally, I sat with myself and asked, What do I really want this birthday to mean? What I want is for my photography to finally reach the level of recognition it deserves. I’ve been doing this for so many years and met incredible people through photography. It’s opened so many doors, and most of the people I’ve connected with, I’ve only met because of my work behind the camera.

So, I decided to host a birthday gallery, showcasing my work throughout the years, starting with my first viral photo on Tumblr featuring CJ Hart and Lulu Simmons. I’m so grateful to have collaborated with CanvasDiscounts, who sponsored all of the canvases—saving me so much money I didn’t have to spend.

This marks the beginning of me showing up for myself, a rebrand, and a fresh start. Because this year around the sun, I’m giving it my all—and I deserve that.