1985 was about the time when disposable cameras hit the scene. Photography became an art form accessible to people who otherwise couldn't afford it, and that's good because I was born that year - in a very blue collar town in the Pacific Northwest - and quickly developed a desire to learn and share people's stories. I'd save my modest allowance for trips to the corner store, where the sound of the plastic winding wheel on those little Fujis fueled my passion and gave me a gadget to capture the world around me. Since then my canvas and tools have expanded and grown, but the most important aspect in my travels and photography is, and always will be, the stories. Your story. Their story. My story. Our stories.

To me, nothing is as magical as the present moment: when we are truly, genuinely, here and now. Photography gives me a way to capture that, to seize the flash of human connection (and sometimes pretty scenery and animals). I enjoy journeying off the beaten path, living and working side-by-side with some of the "forgotten" members of society - orphans, the elderly, strangers in faraway places - and doing my best, camera in hand, to simply be a medium for them to share their stories directly with you. I'm also interested in your story, wherever and whoever you are, because it deserves to be told.

We're all legends in the making. One day we'll all be fables. But our stories will live forever, so let's share some.

peace.love.respect.,
alex (sattva photo)

P.S. The images in the "Orphanage (Charity)" album were taken at orphanages during The Volunteer Adventure: a year-long journey where I lived and worked at orphanages in each of these countries for 1-2 months each - Kenya, South Africa, Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Romania, and Peru - to film a documentary about the lives of the children and their caretakers. 100% of the net profits, after cost, of each orphanage-related print sold are directly donated to several of these children's homes. The donations will be used where they are most needed. Historically this has included food, water, clothes, school fees, and renovating and constructing new buildings. Thank you for your support!