Lost Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

When I first started in photography, my goal was simple: to hang some beautiful landscape photos on my wall. Back then, I was living in California and working at a car lot, taking photos of the vehicles for their website. It wasn't until I turned 25 that I realized the typical 9-to-5 job wasn't for me. I couldn't adapt to a scheduled lifestyle, so I decided to quit and use my savings to create a portfolio. With a Best Buy credit card, I bought a decent camera, thinking photography would be easy since other photographers made it look that way.

At first, I was terrible. My early attempts were so bad that it actually deepened my love for the craft. I became obsessed with photography, developing an intense passion for it. Five years later, I posted a photo on Facebook, and to my surprise, someone wanted to buy it. Selling that first piece for $250 fueled my dream of becoming a professional photographer.

However, when I approached galleries, they told me my work wasn't considered art and that even if they did accept it, they'd take a huge cut of the profits. That's when the idea hit me: I would open my own gallery. Ignoring my friends' and family's advice, I decided to move to Las Vegas with my dog and everything I owned packed into a Nissan Altima, dreaming of showcasing my work on my own terms.

I wanted my art to be seen by everyone. And for a while, I enjoyed it. Growing up, I moved around a lot, spending most of my childhood in Tucson, AZ, but Vegas was a completely different world. Over time, I lost my way. My lifestyle spiraled out of control, and I realized that the dreams I was chasing weren't truly mine.

"Lost Vegas" is the image that captures that moment of realization. Standing in the biggest city I had ever lived in, I felt more alone and lost than ever before. It's often at our highest points that we discover our lowest lows. People say to never forget where you come from, and even though I feel like I'm from so many different places, this photo reminds me that it's not about where you come from but what you do with it when you get to where you're going.

“Lost Vegas” will always be a significant piece in my portfolio. It not only changed my mindset but also the trajectory of my entire life.

50 Artist Proof | 700 Limited Edition

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