Participating in the 2025 VA Creative Arts Festival was a truly incredible experience, and one that has deeply resonated with me as an artist. To see my print, "Civic Juxtaposition," earn second place in the color photography category was a profound honor, and a moment I won't soon forget.

"Civic Juxtaposition" is a piece that holds a special place in my heart. It captures a unique perspective of the Salt Lake City Public Library set against the backdrop of our magnificent City and County Building, taken just as an April evening rain shower was about to begin. The Fuji Pearl Paper it's printed on gives the sky and city lights a luminous quality that I meticulously crafted in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. While the framed print from the festival is currently for sale, I'll be making additional prints available for anyone interested in owning a copy of this piece.

Beyond the recognition, the festival itself was a powerful journey of self-discovery. As a professional photographer and a service-connected disabled veteran, I moved to Salt Lake City about ten months ago and saw the festival as a perfect chance to meet new people and connect with the community. It was a huge success. The experience also led to a wonderful new friendship. With the event's curator sick, I ended up spending some time talking to Bill, a regular volunteer at the hospital and a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran. He's also a talented photographer, and his incredible image of Stansbury Island with a coyote standing in the frame took first place. After seeing his work, I completely understood why I placed second; his photograph was amazing.

This experience has solidified my vision for the future. It's not just about capturing beautiful images; it's about telling stories, evoking emotion, and continuing to challenge myself creatively. The festival was a wonderful milestone, and I'm excited to carry this momentum forward, exploring new techniques and subjects, and continuing to grow as an artist in this vibrant community.

Thank you to everyone who supported me, and to the VA for providing such an incredible platform for veteran artists. I'm excited for what's next!