Where did your interest in photography come from?

I’d say it came from a curiosity about the world. When I first started making pictures, I would go for a lot of walks and always have my camera with me. I’m a firm believer that there’s always something to see if you’re keen to look. A lot of times the things I wanted to make pictures of were hiding in plain site in everyday life. I’ve always been interested in narrative, known or unknown, and that pictures are evident of that narrative.

What were some of your early creative influences?

I worked as a studio assistant to Larry Fink for a number of years, so inevitably his work influenced mine. This was before I started shooting wrestling, but I learned a lot by spending so much time with his archive of work that eventually bled over into my own practice. Alec Soth, Todd Hido, and Ed Templeton were also pretty influential in the beginning of my photographic career.

What about now?

Honestly, the wrestlers themselves are a big influence in that they motivate me to keep doing what I’m doing. As far as photographers go, two wrestling photographers that I really look up to are Nick Karp and David Perez. I’m also deeply inspired by go-go and burlesque performers that I’ve met along the way! Liam Bourghini and Ann Arky (Heartbreaker Productions), and Artina Darkly (Darkly Productions) are incredibly talented and creative artists/performers that continue to inspire me.

How has your approach to your work changed over time?

The difference between the pictures I made prior to beginning to shoot wrestling is pretty wild. My approach to photography was a lot calmer, more like a quiet observer. Not exactly “passive” but definitely not as hungry. My thought process is still the same in that I’m seeking something out, I just have to move a lot faster to get what I’m looking for. I’m immersing myself alongside the action, which I think is necessary for the kinds of pictures I want to make. I’ve been told that looking at my pictures “feels like you’re there”, which I think is just so cool!

Can you share a challenging or memorable moment you’ve experienced in your journey as a photographer?

Something that continues to be a challenge is simply existing in a male-dominated face. A lot of times, I’m the only femme-presenting photographer at these events. It never bothered me past the extent of “I wish more of us were in this field”, but I remember I was shooting a show last summer and a male photographer actually put his hands on my to push me out of the way and started yelling at me while his hand was on my chest. I’ve sharpened my elbows, so to say, and remind myself that I have just as much of a right to be there as anyone else. I’m thankful to have people in this community that have my back, but these kinds of instances are always a stark reminder that you’ll unfortunately find that in any subculture.

Why do you think you’re so drawn to deathmatch wrestling?

Wrestlers are not only athletes but performers and storytellers as well. It takes a lot to push your body to the kinds of physical limits that deathmatch requires. You have to keep yourself and your partner(s) safe during the match while also putting on a hell of a show for the audience. To do that successfully requires a lot of trust between performers. There’s a lot of power and beauty in that kind of connection and I have a deep respect for it.

Can you talk a bit about the connections you see between this wrestling community and the queer community?

Independent and deathmatch wrestling have made space for people who don’t fit the mold, and that’s part of what makes them feel so connected to queer culture. These shows are usually held in DIY spaces–warehouses, bars, clubs–where there’s room to be loud, weird, real. It makes space for identities that mainstream wrestling still sidelines. Queer wrestlers and fans have created a place here to express identity, challenge norms, and build community on their own terms. Deathmatch, like queerness, thrives in contradiction: brutal yet tender, violent yet vulnerable. It’s about survival, self-definition, and chosen family.

How does it feel to see your work in book form?

I’ve made photobooks by hand in the past, but having my work professionally printed and bound is very surreal (in a good way!). I’m over the moon about it. Every time I look at the book, I’m overwhelmed and in awe all over again! Overall, I feel incredibly grateful.

What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish this next year?

I’d love to shoot something for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW). The first deathmatch show I ever went to was a GCW show, so to photograph one and have that come full circle would be so cool. In general, I’d love to travel more specifically to shoot wrestling shows.

What about in your lifetime?

If the opportunity ever presented itself, I would absolutely love to travel to Japan to shoot wrestling!

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