The subjects and objects used in these photos are things that I had available in or near my house. A majority of the images featured a few of my favorite items I have collected over the years, such as records, small figurines of animals, and guitars. Furthermore, I often buy vinyl and instruments for myself, but items that are easier to obtain are frequently gifted to me by friends and family. Additionally, one of the images features a greenhouse. This building is located near my childhood house, so I have been around it my entire life. These items/places help reflect/communicate my values and influences when creating in terms of the subject matter and purpose within the work.

These images are relevant to me as they help illustrate different aspects of my personality that embody my sense of self. They tell stories about me and help define my interests, such as my love for music and the collection of physical albums. Additionally, I find the subject matter inspirational in my pursuit of creation. I am heavily influenced by music and the art that goes along with it. Similarly, most of my work and interests are inspired by video game imagery, so I found it necessary to incorporate the two Pokémon figures. Despite utilizing sentimental items, one of the images serves as a resource for ideas I am developing. Rather than relying on the objects within the photo to express meaning, I wanted it to be derived through dynamic movement and physical material in the image instead.

These images served my growth as an artist through practice with the equipment and by helping me find a stylistic visual language. Photography has been a difficult medium for me to create work that I am content with and that aesthetically relates to other types of art I like to make, such as illustration or graphic design. It has been challenging (but rewarding) learning how to use a DSLR camera through experimentation to create imagery that I would consider stylistically relevant to my previous work. Through a lot of trial and error and changes in camera settings, I achieved a mix of desired results, such as moody and limited color palettes, dynamic compositions, and experimental lighting while using mundane subjects. Furthermore, I have become more comfortable using a DSLR camera, allowing me to be more creative with my imagery and method of creation.