Sound People
Project Overview
Sound People is a series of environmental portraits documenting the people who call the cold waters of the Puget Sound home for recreation and work. I shot this series in February 2026 around Elliott Bay and Lake Washington. Water temperatures were about 44°F, with weather ranging from clear winter sun to rainy with bitter, near-freezing winds. My subjects included local scuba divers from Seattle Dive Tours and open-water swimmers from the Notorious Alki Swimmers and the Cheese Puffs.
The Style
An environmental portrait shows a person in the place that defines them. This approach treats the environment not as a backdrop but as a narrative presence. The landscape, weather, and surroundings give context to who someone is and what they do, letting the image say not just who someone is, but where they belong and why that place matters. Visually, I drew a lot of inspiration for this series from the work of Pacific Northwest portrait photographer Rick Dahms.
Behind the Scenes
Going Solo: I chose to work completely alone at sunrise because I did not want to drag an assistant into freezing water with me.
The Lighting Setup: To get the light off-camera, I held a remotely triggered diffused flash out on a monopod with one hand while operating my camera controls with the other.
Fighting the Elements: Managing the gear was a constant physical battle against active waves, high wind, and corrosive saltwater spray trying to destroy my equipment.
A huge thank you to everyone who stepped in front of my lens. They are truly some of the toughest and most joyful people I have met in Seattle.
The Final Product
