My Next Chapter: Guatemala and a Return to Photography
Life has a way of presenting defining moments, and this past week brought a decision that marks a profound turning point for me. On October 21, 2026, I board a flight to Guatemala to establish a permanent homebase and creative studio in Antigua.
For those who prefer audio, here’s a brief audio introduction to My Next Chapter.
For the past decade, my life has been centered almost entirely on caretaking; serving as Mark’s caretaker and holding that daily responsibility defined my routine and shaped every choice I made. Alongside being on disability since 2015, that role demanded immense emotional and physical focus, but that chapter has now come to a necessary close. Stepping down from those duties was not a casual choice; it was the realization that it is finally time to take back my life, protect my own well-being, and pursue the creative path I set aside for far too long.
Living out of suitcases across Antigua for three months, Maryland, California, Missouri, and Guam over the past two years alone taught me resilience, but perpetual transit takes a toll. I need stability, an anchor to plant deep roots, and a community where I can truly thrive. Setting up a long-term homebase in Guatemala gives me that foundation while bringing me close to family again.
Returning to Antigua also marks the deliberate restart of my photography career. My focus centers on three primary disciplines: nature (both landscapes and wildlife), travel, and long-term documentary storytelling. Travel photography has always held deep meaning for me because it refuses to sit inside a single narrow genre; it bridges everything from wide-open natural environments to intimate cultural narratives.
My immediate fieldwork begins right in the Panchoy Valley, centering my lens on Antigua and its surrounding communities before expanding outward:
Churches and Ruins of Antigua (Iglesias y ruinas de Antigua): A visual study of the city's earthquake-weathered sanctuaries, open-sky naves, and the enduring community faith that continues to fill these historic spaces.
The Photographer’s Guide to Antigua (Guía de Antigua para fotógrafos): A practical and aesthetic guide designed to help visual storytellers navigate the unique highland light, architecture, and surrounding satellite villages.
La historia del jade: A personal archival initiative tracing Guatemalan jade from the Motagua Valley fault line to the lapidary workshops of Antigua; a project that closely honors our family history and connection to the stone.
Mi historia (The Origin of Things): An anthropological documentary series examining the origins, ancestral craft, and human hands behind everyday objects, including traditional backstrap weaving and artisan pottery.
Secret Gardens of Antigua: A fine-art study capturing the lush botanical microclimates and tranquil courtyards hidden behind colonial walls.
Later down the road, once these core regional bodies of work are established, I plan to broaden my scope into wider territorial nature assignments; including the country's waterfalls, volcanic cordilleras, and an extensive Birds of Guatemala field project. For now, my boots stay planted right on the cobblestones of Antigua.
Fueling the Restart: An $8,000 Launch Fund
Starting fresh after a decade of caretaking and building an independent documentary practice from the ground up takes more than determination; it requires real resources to establish traction.
To help cover initial relocation costs, workspace setup, field travel logistics, and the archival production of these initial Panchoy Valley projects, I have set a fundraising goal of $8,000.
Every contribution goes directly into establishing this new foundation:
Logistics & Field Access: Securing reliable transport and access across the valley and surrounding highland villages.
Production & Archiving: Funding print proofing, scanning, local artisan bookbinding, and exhibition materials for initial releases.
Operational Stability: Providing a runway to establish a sustainable, self-sufficient photography business over the coming year.
Even if a financial gift is not feasible right now, sharing this page with friends who care about independent documentary storytelling, or simply sending your thoughts and encouragement, means a great deal.
Thank you for believing in this work, for your love, and for standing by me as I step boldly into this next chapter.