(American, b. 1973)
I'm a self-taught photographer raised by Ukrainian-American immigrants in New York City during one of the most exciting periods for art, music and culture. Focused at a young age on creative expression in graffiti art, I eventually enrolled at Queens College studying under influential American civil rights painter Benny Andrews where I learned the fundamentals of composing a compelling picture. While later studying graphic design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and then moving on to the publishing industry for 10+ years as a Designer/Art Director for popular magazines such as Men's Health and Esquire, I discovered my greatest interest laid in capturing the mood of an existing moment and left to pursue photography. Today, I specialize in documentary photography and freelance for the Village Voice newspaper. I've traveled extensively throughout the world and have covered stories from Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota to independent motels owned by South Asian Indians in the United States. My work has appeared in various publications and in 2009 was a 'People Portrait' finalist for the Masters Cup and in 2012 a 'Travel Portrait' finalist in PDN magazine. My photos have been exhibited throughout New York City and most recently at the Jacob Javits center for the 2012 PDN Photo Plus Expo.
I'm a self-taught photographer raised by Ukrainian-American immigrants in New York City during one of the most exciting periods for art, music and culture. Focused at a young age on creative expression in graffiti art, I eventually enrolled at Queens College studying under influential American civil rights painter Benny Andrews where I learned the fundamentals of composing a compelling picture. While later studying graphic design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and then moving on to the publishing industry for 10+ years as a Designer/Art Director for popular magazines such as Men's Health and Esquire, I discovered my greatest interest laid in capturing the mood of an existing moment and left to pursue photography. Today, I specialize in documentary photography and freelance for the Village Voice newspaper. I've traveled extensively throughout the world and have covered stories from Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota to independent motels owned by South Asian Indians in the United States. My work has appeared in various publications and in 2009 was a 'People Portrait' finalist for the Masters Cup and in 2012 a 'Travel Portrait' finalist in PDN magazine. My photos have been exhibited throughout New York City and most recently at the Jacob Javits center for the 2012 PDN Photo Plus Expo.
