CREEK FIRE AFTERMATH

When the Creek Fire happened in 2020, my chapter of United Way helped 17 families navigate the aftermath in the months afterward. We made a video about emergency preparedness with some of the families who lost their homes. After we interviewed Theresa, a recently widowed grandmother who lost her home of 30-plus years, my film crew continued to get b-roll of her property. I walked around and got close ups of the different colors and textures created by the fire. 

 1020 CLAIRE AVENUE

I helped walk my grandma (Granny) to her death after she contracted COVID (from her doctor!) in the spring of 2022. After months of caretaking for her, she passed in late April. As a family, we immediately set to cleaning out her property in order for my dad and his brothers to sell it. My grandparents had lived there over 50 years - my entire life. Every inch of the house was filled with memories dating back to my earliest childhood playtimes. It was eerie seeing the place empty and quiet. I felt a need to document the still, lifeless bones of the home that had brought me so much joy and comfort throughout my life.

Tree Branches

“Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile”. The light flows from their branches and they call again. “It’s simple,” they say, “and you, too, have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.” - #maryoliver