Artist Statement
My creative process is driven by my relation to photography and by extension my camera. Like any strong relationship, it's a dynamic connection that can shift at any given time. As a naturally adventurous person I thrive in the spontaneity of life, exploring where my curiosity leads. In these moments my camera functions as a witness for when the WOW moment arrives. Some days photography is purely therapy for me and my camera serves as my therapist. It guides me in processing emotions and reminds me of the grand scale of the universe. Other times I’m more intentional, on the hunt for something specific. In these moments I wield my camera as a weapon to prove my hunt victorious. On some occasions I feel like a mad scientist, and my camera is my loyal henchmen as I break the laws of photography in pursuit of prestige. In time I’ve learned that all of these approaches are valid motivations worthy of contributing to the Elijah Hanif Visual Archive.