I am a Los Angeles-based photographer specializing in portraiture and documentary work for editorial and commercial clients. Prior to freelancing I was a staff photographer at the Journal Star in Peoria, Ill., for 2 years and prior to that I completed internships at the St. Petersburg Times, Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel and Gainesville Sun newspapers. In 2005 I earned a master’s degree at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications by completing a book project documenting the lives of three individuals with developmental disabilities as they attempted to live independent lives.