As a portrait photographer, I explore my inner narratives through my work, which is deeply rooted in personal history and self-discovery. I was born in Ethiopia and adopted at the age of eight, relocating to North Carolina was a transformative experience that left me feeling displaced and isolated. Those early emotions continue to shape and inform my art today. In response to that intense period of change, I turned inward and found comfort in the solitary practice of photography.

Around the age of 15, I began experimenting with self-portraiture. Creating dreamlike compositions became a way for me to exert control over my world and find a sense of solace. I prefer working en plein air rather than in a studio. Being outside enhances my creativity, keeps me grounded in the present moment, and allows me to work with natural light, which I find essential to my process.

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