Snaptober Day 12's prompt is Mentor
I had a fantastical, character-driven concept in mind, but scheduling with my models didn't work out, and I've been burning the candle at both ends lately. So, instead of forcing another photoshoot into an already packed schedule, I decided to take a step back and highlight the mentors who helped me become the artist I am today.
And honestly? It feels fitting.
I've been incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful people support my artistic journey. My parents nurtured my creativity, my teachers gave me opportunities to grow, and I've had the privilege of learning from people who saw potential in me before I fully understood what I could do with it.
Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Looking back, I can see how much of the artist I am today comes from the people who gave me the time, encouragement, and space to experiment.
So, for Snaptober Day 12, I want to give a little love to the people who helped shape my creative journey.
My First Photography Mentor: My Dad
I started photography when I was six years old. My dad and I bonded over taking photographs together, and some of my earliest memories of photography are tied to that time with him.
My dad's father was also a photographer. I never got the chance to meet him, but I like to think there's a little bit of a photography bloodline running through our family.
Photography became something I carried with me throughout elementary school, high school, and college. Over the years, I kept learning, experimenting, and finding new ways to explore my creativity.
Looking back, I'm grateful that my parents encouraged my artistic interests instead of treating them as something I would eventually grow out of. Having the space to explore art and discover what I loved made such a difference in my life.
It's one thing to enjoy taking pictures. It's another to have people around you who encourage you to keep going, even when you're still figuring out what kind of artist you want to become.
That early support gave me a foundation I would continue building on for years.
Learning to Experiment: My High School Photography Teacher
In high school, I had an amazing photography teacher, Mrs. Nau. She gave us room to be creative, experiment with ideas, and figure things out for ourselves. She guided us without trying to push her own aesthetic onto our work. I think that's one of the most valuable things a mentor can do. You don't need someone to tell you exactly what your art should look like. Sometimes, you need someone who gives you the tools, encouragement, and freedom to discover that for yourself.
Mrs. Nau also trusted me with opportunities beyond my own photography assignments. She gave me space to help other students, create galleries for our school exhibitions, and participate in photography competitions I might not otherwise have had access to. Those experiences taught me more than just photography. They helped me discover that I genuinely enjoy helping other people explore their creativity, too. I loved being able to support other students, help showcase their work, and be part of creating an environment where people could share what they made. I began to realize that creativity wasn't just about making art myself. It was also about helping other people bring their ideas to life. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career.
As a creative photographer in Phoenix, Arizona, collaboration is one of my favorite parts of what I do. I love working with people who have ideas of their own, helping them explore those ideas, and figuring out how we can turn them into photographs.
I don't want every photoshoot to look like my personal vision imposed on someone else. I want to create something together. In a lot of ways, I think that approach started with the teachers who gave me the freedom to find my own artistic voice.
Large-Format Film, the Darkroom, and a Professor Who Saw My Potential
College gave me another incredible mentor: Mr. Galloway. He saw potential in me and gave me opportunities to develop my photography skills in ways I never would have experienced otherwise. He hired me to work at my college, which meant I got to spend time in the darkroom, the print lab, and the gallery. Those experiences gave me a much deeper understanding of photography as an art form, from creating an image to developing and printing it to seeing how it could be presented in a gallery.
One of my favorite memories is when he found an old pinhole camera he'd made when he was younger. He also had some large-format film, which he let me use for free, and then taught me how to develop it. At the time, large-format film cost around $10 per photograph! If you've ever experimented with film photography, you know that every frame can feel precious. When each photograph costs that much to make, you think carefully about what you're doing. Getting the opportunity to work with that equipment and learn those techniques was incredibly valuable.
I love that he didn't just tell me about a process or demonstrate it once. He gave me the opportunity to try it myself. That kind of hands-on learning sticks with you. It encourages you to experiment, ask questions, and understand why things work the way they do. I'm grateful he trusted me with those opportunities and helped me grow as a photographer.
Finding the Details That Make Art Meaningful
I also took an art history class with Mrs. Devito-Zimmerman, who was amazing, wonderfully kooky, and incredibly kind. (Think Ms. Frizzle, but teaching art history!)
The way she taught made me interested in all the little details in art that can have a much bigger impact than you might initially realize. A symbol tucked into the background. An object that represents something beyond itself. A visual reference that changes how you understand an entire image. She taught me to look more closely and think about what an artist might be communicating beyond what's immediately visible. Because of her, I try to sneak as much iconography into my work as possible.
I love the idea that a photograph can be beautiful on the surface while also containing little details that give it another layer of meaning. Not every viewer has to notice every reference, but those who do can discover something new. That interest in visual storytelling is a big part of why I enjoy fantasy photography, creative portraits, and character-inspired photoshoots. There are so many opportunities to use styling, props, composition, and symbolism to communicate something about a character or concept.
Mrs. Devito-Zimmerman also supported me through an incredibly difficult time. When my brother passed away in the middle of a semester, she made sure I was taken care of and helped give me hope. That kindness meant more than I can adequately express.
Sometimes, a mentor teaches you a skill that changes your career. Sometimes, they give you an opportunity that changes your future. And sometimes, they show up for you when you need someone most. I'm grateful she did all three.
Getting My Creative Spark Back
After college, I took a couple of years away from photography and school. Sometimes life takes you in a different direction for a while. You need time away, time to figure things out, or simply time to be somewhere other than the place you thought you'd be. When I eventually went back, I had another professor who made a huge difference: Mrs. Schneider. She helped me get my creative spark back.
She encouraged me to join her master's program and pushed me in the ways I needed after taking such a long break. Sometimes, you need someone who recognizes your potential and reminds you that it's still there, even when you've stepped away from it for a while. Her encouragement helped me reconnect with my art and imagine what I could do next. I'm grateful she saw something worth encouraging and gave me the push I needed to keep moving forward. It's a reminder that your creative journey doesn't have to be a straight line. You can take breaks, change direction, lose your momentum, and find your way back again. And sometimes, the right person at the right time can help you rediscover something you thought you'd lost.
How My Mentors Influence My Photography Today
There are so many other people who have helped me get to where I am today. I couldn't possibly name everyone or explain every little way they've influenced my life and work in one blog post. But when I look at my photography today, I can see pieces of what they taught me.
I can see my dad in the way photography has remained a part of my life for so long. I can see Mrs. Nau in the way I encourage experimentation and give creative ideas room to grow. I can see Mr. Galloway in my curiosity about photographic processes. I can see Mrs. Devito-Zimmerman in the details and symbolism I love incorporating into my images. And I can see Mrs. Schneider in the reminder that it's always possible to find your way back to your creativity. These experiences shape how I approach my work as a creative portrait photographer in Phoenix, Arizona.
I love collaborating with clients, cosplayers, models, performers, and other creatives to bring their ideas to life. I want people to feel comfortable experimenting, exploring their own aesthetic, and creating photographs that feel personal to them. Not everyone comes to a photoshoot with a fully formed concept. Sometimes, someone has a character they love, a mood they've been imagining, or a few ideas they aren't sure how to put together. I love helping people work through those ideas and discover what's possible. I also know how important it can be to have someone believe in your creativity and give you the space to explore it. I hope I can offer some of that same encouragement to the people I work with.
Art is rarely something we create entirely on our own. Even when we're the ones behind the camera, we're carrying the lessons, encouragement, experiences, and inspiration of the people who helped us get there. I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who has been part of my journey.
A Little Reminder to Thank Your Mentors
Take a moment to thank the people who have helped you become who you are, whether that's as an artist, a creative, or simply as a person. Maybe it was a teacher who gave you room to experiment. A parent who encouraged your interests. A friend who believed in an idea you weren't sure about yet. Or someone who showed up for you during a difficult time.
Mentorship doesn't always look like a formal teacher-student relationship. Sometimes, it's a person who gives you an opportunity, shares what they've learned, or reminds you that you're capable of more than you think. The value of those people is impossible to measure, and I'm forever grateful to the ones who gave me the time, space, and encouragement to become the artist I am today. So, here's to the mentors, teachers, friends, family members, and fellow creatives who help us grow. Thank you for helping me become the photographer I am today.
Now go thank someone who helped you along the way, and go create some art!
Happy Snaptober!
Here are some awkward photos of me in high school.
