Johnson & Johnson

This is one of those projects that stays with you — the kind you carry in your chest long after the cameras are packed up. We traveled across the country photographing and filming five real patients who have regained their lives in such profound and beautiful ways. Every story was inspiring. Every conversation mattered. And as a team, we felt it — deeply.

I worked with my favorite producers, Ryan and Genevieve from Goldie Productions, and brought along my DP, Justin Donais, and tech/assistant, Ryan Lopez. A small, tight crew — the kind where we’re all in the minivan together, laughing, telling stories, eating meals side by side, and supporting each other through the long days. I love big productions, but there’s something special about these intimate ones. They allow space for presence. For trust. For connection.

For this project, I not only photographed these stories, but also directed the videos — which meant spending real time with each patient, listening, asking questions, and letting their words guide the tone. Before any camera rolled, I wanted to really get to know them. To understand who they are, what they’ve been through, and what life looks like now. Each of them had endured something incredibly difficult — and to see them on the other side, living, thriving, reclaiming joy — was honestly emotional. There were moments I felt myself holding back tears behind the camera.

As I get older, I’m more aware than ever that every person we meet is carrying something. And when we can drop the pretense and just show up as ourselves — open, honest, human — something real happens. That’s what we experienced here. The patients trusted us, and we held that responsibility with care. That energy shaped the images. It shaped the interviews. It shaped the whole experience.

By the end, we accomplished everything we set out to do — and more. The agency (shoutout to our amazing team from Canada) referred to us as “the dream team,” and several of the patients emailed afterward to say how supported and seen they felt during our time together. That meant everything to me.

Because at the heart of what I do — always — is the desire to create a space where people feel safe, understood, and cared for.

This one reminded me why I love this work.