the film artist [part 5/5] — 35mm photography motivation

Photography as a Parallel Practice

Siri: All right, we’ve talked a lot about music. Let’s talk about photography. What are you doing there? We see the photos on social media, but what’s the passion behind it? How does photography tie back to music, or where does it diverge?

A2: Pursuing 35mm film came from a photographer I worked with for a while. He was using both digital and film at a time when film was making a comeback in the mid to late 2010s. I said, “Let me look into this,” even though it’s an expense. Honestly, I picked probably the worst time to invest in 35mm because of inflation, which has definitely been a thorn in my side on this photography journey.

By that point, though, I had gotten enough practice with iPhones and DSLR cameras to develop a style. Just like with my music, that style is varied. Right now, on my page, I’m leaning back into black-and-white using Ilford HP5 film. Tone-wise, it’s monochrome, nostalgic, even melancholic. The scenes vary a lot. I love architecture, and as a New Yorker, that shows up heavily. One of my favorite shots is a symmetrical black-and-white image of the Brooklyn Bridge called Home in Monochrome. It’s easily top five for me.

At the same time, I have photos that reflect where I unplug and reset: shots by the ocean, in the woods, hiking. If people say art imitates life and life imitates art, photography would absolutely fulfill that statement for me if it weren’t music.

Diversification and the A2X.JPG Project

Anything beyond my initial 35mm journey in the 2010s expanded into publishing work on the blockchain and never taking no for an answer when it comes to diversifying reach. The key is diversification. I never want to go all in on just one thing. Just like I’m not all in on only music, photography is another extension of who I am creatively.

That’s what makes the A2X.JPG project special to me. It’s another outlet to express emotion and identity. It’s all work I’m proud of and will always stand behind.

Multidisciplinary Creativity Beyond Music

Siri: It really sounds like you’ve got a varied, diverse style. You’ve got your hands in everything. Even within music, you’re a jack of all trades. Beyond piano and music, there’s photography, poetry—how did those start, and how do they help you deliver your message?

A2: When I moved from New Jersey and the New York area down to North Carolina, that’s when I really started writing more. I had to put my thoughts down. My writing evolved from being vague and indirect to much more direct. Throughout high school, I always carried a notebook and a small pocket-sized dictionary. I was obsessed with words and language because I saw their power.

Language became a contrast to the instrumental music I was making. I believe just as strongly that I can communicate emotion and thought without words, but I didn’t want language to be a disadvantage, especially since you have to write copy to market your work. My dad always emphasized reading and staying sharp, making sure you could hold your own in conversation. That’s why I’m also interested in learning other languages fluently.

Education, Skill Building, and Creative Infrastructure

When I got to college and switched from a nursing path to communications, I took intro photography and design courses, along with marketing. Those experiences aligned perfectly with my skill set. For two to three years, I was essentially using A2 as the subject of my assignments, figuring everything out in real time. Those skills all lean into each other now.

Later, in Nashville, I learned more about music engineering, equipment, and the technical language of recording. I started realizing there’s a misconception that musicians just show up, play, and leave. At the highest level, that’s not the case at all. You have to be savvy in multiple areas and build a network of people whose skills complement yours.

I knew from a young age I had to be multidisciplinary, not one-dimensional. People around you can either propel you forward or hold you back. Beyond the tangible skills like design showing up in concert flyers, there are intangibles—confidence, professionalism, knowing how to move in rooms—that matter just as much.

Writing as Outlet, Craft, and Communication

Siri: You mentioned that your writing shifted from vague to direct. Was that intentional? Was it an outlet, or were you thinking about adding lyrics to music?

A2: It was both. Part of me was trying to figure out how to rap, especially during a time when Lil Wayne was putting out some of his best work. Coming from a classical, gospel, and Christian background, it was more of a study for me. I’ve always approached music and writing with curiosity and research.

My writing leaned toward free verse. I felt constrained by strict rhyme schemes or beats, so it became more spoken-word oriented. Discovering spoken word artists helped me realize I could do that and still be authentic.

Identity, Resilience, and Language

Writing was also deeply emotional. Moving states as a teenager, experiencing culture shock, and navigating identity as someone who is Black and Asian in the South forced me to become internally resilient. Writing helped me process that. Even during dark times, I always felt a sense of light and conviction—believing that as long as God had me and I had myself, I’d be okay.

As I’ve matured, I’ve written less purely for emotional release and more to communicate ideas clearly and concisely. I value clarity. Language matters. A lot of miscommunication in life comes from not being clear enough. I believe intentional language can change that.

That’s why I see writing as a complement to my instrumental work. It’s a dichotomy I stand behind fully—words and wordless music, both coming from the same place.

Siri: That level of clarity and conviction at such a young age is impressive. Finding that light in darkness that early speaks volumes.