I am a photographer. I am a videographer. I am an editor. I am a musician. I am a lot of things, but I have come to know myself best as a creative. Over the last few years of my life, I have come to realize that I find nothing inherently special about photography or video. (I bet that sounds weird coming from a person who's livelihood depends on their art - but hear me out.) Photography, video, music - these are simply some of the mediums that I have chosen to express my creativity. They are the ways that I tell stories. An expertly crafted movie, with amazing cinematography and special effects can be boring to watch if the story is lacking. Stories are the lifeblood of good photography and video. They drive us. They inspire us. They teach us about life. As Kenneth Burke once said, "Stories are equipment for living." Storytelling and creativity are the things that energize me and stir up my passion. When photography and video are viewed within these terms, keeping up with the perpetually changing technologies is no longer a chore - it is a way in which to keep skills sharp to be a better storyteller. I have had to embrace a lifestyle of lifelong learning. I have learned that the more skills I develop and refine, the greater my creative possibilities. However, creativity is not about being different for the sake of being different. It's about facing fears and being brave enough to venture into the unknown. Jazz musician Benny Golson once said that "the creative person always walks two steps into the darkness." I am always striving to push the boundaries of my art, while uncovering truths of life along the way.