C'est moi in Wisconsin. Photo by Rachael Finglovsky.
Hello! Thank you for visiting my site. I was born & raised in the United States. In my sophomore year in college, I purchased a used Pentax K1000 manual SLR camera. For fun, I took an Intro to B&W Photography during my final year of school. I graduated with a B.A. in Mandarin Chinese and worked in the non-profit sector for many years, taking advanced photo classes on the side, to relax and get centered. The traditional darkroom essentially became my sanctuary. In 2003, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as staff photographer at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa, Israel. What was to be 2.5 years turned into 5 years in the Middle East of a wide-range of photo assignments for the Bahá’í Faith that catapulted my professional skills and creative technique. With every project and each perfect and not-so-perfect shot/session/process, I realized what was at the center of the ups & downs I faced for every assignment - love. The lesson? Well, I learned that fully embracing love, or rather, falling into its full embrace, will never leave me disappointed. Needless to say, those 5 years at the Bahá’í World Centre changed the entire course of my life, at least what I had or could envision for my future, and it forever altered my conceptual framework about equality and the oneness of humanity. In 2008, I returned to the States to continue working in photography and to share my learnings from overseas.
Artist Statement:
I visually document the qualities of nobility, dignity, and beauty in the world so as to enkindle the memory of our true selves. My goal is to facilitate human connection (inner and outer) and foster upliftment through the art of photography.
I believe that art is a powerful way to reveal the Light that is reflected in each creature, connecting us to our core and Source, constantly reminding us of our true essence and worth.
I am troubled by the many complex problems in the world, all the pain and suffering. I often think these difficulties stem from forgetting our own beauty and nobility, both at the individual and collective levels, causing major disconnection and injustice, and stunting growth and development for all, despite immediate material benefits for some.
I am inspired and reassured when I am reminded that no one is deprived of the virtues of nobility, dignity, and beauty, no matter how latent, neglected, or unvalued; that each person is brought to this world, on purpose, with a unique and distinct purpose; that every soul is wanted and belongs here, not in the past, not in the future, but now.
Guiding my creative practice are two intertwined matters:
1. an intense attraction to all that is beautiful, encountered with my eyes, heart, and soul, found in every person, thing, and experience; and
2. my profound desire for justice, equality, and love.
Both of these interrelated conditions also serve as my challenge in my visual practice: to contribute faithfully and humbly to the collective portfolio of witnessing and documenting the unifying, transformative, maturation process towards our highest potential as a human race.
Let me know how I can assist you with photography + visual stories!