I’m a photography and mantis enthusiast. To me, the mantis is the perfect example of a living sculpture. My goal is to capture the beauty of the mantis — their colors, structures, and textures and uniqueness — as if they were living pieces of fine art.

I met my first live praying mantis around 15 years ago. The green nymph stepped onto my finger and raised its head to look directly at me. It was captivating, a living work of art. Perfect. I was hooked.

I began raising more and different types of mantids and experimenting with photographing them. They make finicky subjects, because they don’t particularly like to sit still and look at the camera. I seek out objects as perches that complement their natural characteristics and elevate them in a non-naturalistic way. I hope my appreciation of these fascinating creatures will be contagious.

Exhibitions and Publications

Esthetic Lens Magazine (www.estheticlens.com): November 26, 2017

Gallery Exhibition, VSA Partners (Chicago): 2014

Group Gallery Exhibition (Chicago): 2012

Black & White Magazine: Animal/Portraiture Special Issue 2012

Chicago Photography Center Group Exhibition: 2008