Miami Empty / Miami New Times
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen across the country, Miami residents began to practice social distancing - a preventative measure suggested by local authorities, but not yet formally ordered like it has been other heavily affected states like New York and California. Most open public spaces in Miami — including Wynwood, the Design District, downtown Miami, Brickell, and Lincoln Road — were almost entirely empty by Sunday, March 22, except for small groups of wandering tourists and individuals exercising or walking their dogs. Restaurants, bars, nightclubs, retail and other “non-essential” businesses have been ordered to close, and curtail any food services to pickup and delivery only. Shot for Miami New Times.
Varying Degrees of Social Distancing / Miami New Times
On Tuesday, March 17, after orders from Gov. Ron DeSantis for all Florida bars and nightclubs to close from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., South Beach observed varying degrees of social distancing. Washington Avenue and Ocean Drive were scattered with groups of spring break tourists who didn't seem bothered by the threat of a global pandemic. Miami Beach Police posted in squads along the barricades blocking Lummus Park, ignoring groups of tourists. Española Way maintained moderate crowds enjoying a late dinner, and the walk-up window at Sunny's on Collins Avenue was packed. Lincoln Road, however, was almost completely empty and eerily quiet with outside cafés stacked and restaurants closed up. Shot for Miami New Times.
Port de Stella Partnership / Stella Artois
This was an extra special collaboration! From Jan 30-Feb 1, 2020, All Seeing Media partnered with Stella Artois for their first major event in Miami, Port de Stella. This three-day event, inspired by European living, constructed a pop-up open-air marketplace at the Wharf in Brickell for patrons to enjoy gourmet eats, drinks, vendor experiences and live entertainment along the Miami River.
I was brought on to pitch + execute an interactive photography experience that would give each patron a unique portrait to take home with them. Using the provided metal pod structure, I imagined a dreamy jungle canopy designed for portrait sessions. I wanted the activation to feel lush and alive, mimicking Florida’s natural flora and creating a fluid shooting experience that’s different for everyone. Stella loved the idea of using plant silhouettes and helped rig a spotlight on the activation so I could play with casting shadows through the canopy. I sourced fabric + artificial plants locally, hand-painted the flora, then directed the install with the help of a small production team.
During marketplace hours as patrons wandered by, I invited anyone interested to come in for a personal session. After their shoot I edited + delivered photos on-site so people could immediately save their portrait to their phone and share on social media. Over the course of the three day event, I photographed 247 individuals and made unique portraits for each of them. Here is a collection of my favorite frames. Created in partnership with Stella Artois.
Wynwood Walls 10 yr Anniversary / Don Julio
The Wynwood Walls in Miami’s iconic Wynwood arts district celebrated their 10 yr anniversary during Miami Art Week on Tuesday, December 3, with an outdoor dinner + celebration hosted by Don Julio. Shot for Don Julio.
MacArthur Cleanup / Parley
On Saturday morning, November 16, 2019, Parley teamed up with Better Me Movement to coordinate a group cleanup on MacArthur - the causeway that connects downtown Miami to South Beach. Two hours of collecting yielded hundreds of pounds of garbage litter picked up along the sides of the causeway and washed up underneath the bridge in especially tough to reach places. This monthly initiative works to bring locals together to help maintain a cleaner city. Shot for Parley.
Techno Rodeo @ The Ground
Downtown Miami rumbled with a rowdy, Western crowd on Friday, November 8, for Internet Friends' last event of the year: Techno Rodeo at the Ground. The night's live entertainment included mechanical bull rides, pole dancing, and a lineup of local and visiting electro sounds including Gami, Keanu Orange, Virgo, M7, Bliss, and Mejia. Shot for Internet Friends.
