Lens As A Mirror

Being neurodivergent (or neurospicy as we like to say at my house) can often feel like being a tiny, misplaced speck - unseen, uninvited, and without purpose in a loud, overwhelming world that rarely makes sense. There is a reason that we use the term “square peg in a round hole” to describe being different. I’ve spent my life as that peg.

This book reflects beginning a journey to finally understand myself - and what makes me, well, me. It's about growth and self-acceptance. A shifting tide of awareness,understanding and return. It’s about coming home - both literally and metaphorically.

When I moved back to Los Angeles in the middle of a pandemic - after decades away - I never imagined that I’d be sitting here now, processing a late adult autism and adhd (AuDHD) diagnosis. Let alone creating a photography project that captures this path, or the peace and fulfillment that have come from it. Turns out, you really can go home again - and that it isn’t just a place or the people, but most importantly, it’s being at home with yourself.

The realization of why I always felt different opened a door to expressing how I see the world differently. The patterns I notice that others miss, the mundane sensory details that strike me deeply - these became part of my voice, my style. I found that what I couldn’t explain in words, I could show through the lens, even when I couldn’t make sense of what I was experiencing emotionally. Much of the work in this book reflects this evolving awareness, ranging from intimate moments and small details to broader perspectives on the built environment and human experience. Photography and AuDHD helped me not just explore that difference, but connect with others who experience the world in similar ways.

If you’ve ever felt small or out of place, I hope this book helps you begin your journey of growing into your full self. You are who you are for a reason - and you deserve to take up space unapologetically. No matter how alone you might feel, don't give up. Your kindred spirits are out there, waiting for you.