Where are you from originally?

I’m originally from Staten Island, NY. I moved around a lot, ending in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ from Florida during the summer of ’99 to stay with my father. Living there from the end of middle school until graduating high school, I was about an hour from both Philly and New York City. I spent every bit of free time between the two to skateboard, shoot, and go to obscure venues for shows.

What was it like growing up skateboarding in Jersey beach town?

Growing up in general can be difficult. In my case I was somewhat on the outs as the “weird art kid.” I was called homophobic slurs constantly and often bullied. I suppose it wasn’t known that my parents are bikers and despite my size I could hold my own. I never liked fighting, or condone violence. I do have a wise mouth and believe that didn’t help matters, although a verbal black eye is far more superior than one given with a punch, and far more rewarding.

When did you find yourself in New York City, and what brought you there originally?

Being originally from New York and having such a love for east coast skateboarding and film culture, I was always drawn to it. There is a grittiness and raw attitude you don’t often see elsewhere. After high school I applied to the School of Visual Arts and moved to Manhattan as soon as possible. There has always been a connection to community, danger, and a sense of belonging I’ve not yet found elsewhere. If you’re looking for it, you can find it in New York. I never looked back…by the way, it’s full, so look elsewhere for residency.

What sparked your interest in skateboarding?

My interest in skateboarding first sparked when I was somewhere between 8-10 years old when my cousin Keith gave me an old complete he had stopped using. He had a great collection of all the original Powell boards I dearly wish either of us had held onto. I remember putting Metallica stickers on and spray painting mine, which was that classic Mike McGill graphic. It was largely based on finding a group of people who were like-minded. Often, they were the artistic or troubled kids. I was a bit of both and never had any interest in team sports. From childhood till this day almost all of my time revolves around some kind of artistic expression; filming, photography, skateboarding, music, fine arts, etc.

What was your first camera? When did you start shooting?

I really started shooting around the age of 12 or 13, making short films and filming skateboarding with my friends on my father’s old VHS camcorder I found in the attic. That Christmas I was given my first Hi8 camcorder and never stopped shooting. From there I saved and bought a Pentax K-1000 for 35mm still photography and still use that model of camera often. I’ve been through so much equipment after that: Digital Hi8, TRV, VX1000, DVX, and all sorts of other digital . and analog moving and still image photography equipment. My favorite is anything shot on celluloid.

Did you finish school?

You don’t have to go to college, but I did kids. Pre-college courses in film photography and I have a Bachelor’s Degree in film, in Cinematography, that I’m still paying off. I’ve never had a skateboarder, nor someone on set, ask to see my credentials.

How did you start working with Autumn Skateshop?

During college, I would spend time between classes at Tompkins Square Park or hanging out at Autumn Skateshop. After enough time and just trying to be useful, Autumn Dave hired me after Jeremy Wieland, known as Grandpa, put in a good word for me. Grandpa also got me a job at Sweet Paradise when I was underage and the only two bars worth going to in the Lower East Side was the one I worked at and Max Fish. Those three places brought me into contact with everyone who has helped me along the way.

Being able to call Tompkins home at the time, you were around to watch a lot of young dudes come up make a name. How does it feel being able to watch them grow into the skaters that they’ve become?

Tompkins Square PArk has definitely been a home away from home for me. It’s the meeting place or hang out spot for skateboarders, artists, and weirdos. Like any place it’s had its ups and downs. Professional skaters and semi-famous people of the arts eventually moved on and a younger generation moved in. I was there to take notice of Sean Pablo, Sage Elsesser, Ben Kadow, and Tyshawn Jones. It’s amazing being able to watch them grow from children to adults and witness their accomplishments over the years. They are the new generation doing it and I’m very much looking forward to seeing what they have done for “BLESSED”.

First skate trip?

My first skate trip was taking the train to Ashbury Park, NJ, just a few towns north of where I grew up. My first real trip was a full east coast trip from NYC to Miami and back. My girlfriend Alanna, who was working with Mark Gonzalez, helped me pull on Brad Cromer, Jake Donnelly, and Dylan Perry. I got Dan Pensyl, Curtis Rapp, James Concannon, Emilio Cuilan, and my brother Brengar to join us. It was definitely a “trip.”

Any bands that have influenced you the most?

Bands taht I love or have influenced me are those with something to say and pushing the boundaries of contemporary music in some way. I grew up on metal with my biker parents, but have always been heavily influenced by Morrissey/The Smiths, Nick Cave, Patti Smith, Bauhaus, and Heatmiser/Elliott Smith. They have always been the soundtrack to my life. I’ve been listening to a lot of Jawbreaker, Christian Death, and The JEsus and Mary Chain again recently. I’d say the best and most influential bands out of NYC are TV Baby and Gang Gang Dance, who are extremely underrated in my opinion. Besides skateboarding and narrative filmmaking, a big passion of mine is shooting musicians and live music.

When/where was the first time you and Dylan crossed paths?

Dylan and I met sometime prior to the release of Mindfield in a haze of smoke and whisky on the Bowery. We were introduced by a mutual friend, James Concannon. I don’t believe we spoke much the first time we met. However, we seemed to click and spent a lot of time together. We partied hard and worked harder when it was time. He was my brother and I feel that he influences me every single day, especially when I feel held back by insecurities, I can hear him urging me to step out of boundaries I sabotage myself with.

What has it been like to document such an influential person such as Dylan?

Our relationship was more than just working in skateboarding or a drinking buddy. I truly feel we both believed in each other, and looking back now I wish I captured more of our day to day interactions. None of my images are posed. They are all Dylan in his natural form and I believe that’s why they feel so powerful to me. Beyond that, he has transcended skateboarding. He left us in or before his prime, wanting more – much like a Kurt Cobain who will influence people long after his passing, for lack of a better comparison. It’s insane the amount of messages and people who come up and thank me or want to talk about him and our working together. I’m beyond grateful seeing his positive influence on the world.

Favorite memory of Dylan?

Favorite memories of Dylan are those I can’t recall. Why did we wake up in the back of Autumn Skateshop sleeping on the soft goods? Probably because we had an amazing evening and I dearly miss our adventures together. Besides that, I’d say a real and proper memory of Dylan is when we skated from downtown to the car wash bump-to-bar while Bill was shooting Cherry. It was 98 degrees that day and wasn’t our first time going to shoot that trick. He worked his ass off for the backside flip compared to the frontside flip he did within three tries. I filmed him do it twice that day and shot a photo on film that has a light leak running down the edge of the frame, it’s one of my favorite skateboard images I’ve shot. Perfectly imperfect.

Any comments on the world today?

The world today is fucked and it’s overwhelming. It’s always been that way to some degree. However, the climate has changed with technology and everybody has a voice that can be heard. This is both a great and terrible thing and I hope people use it for the better of mankind rather than doggy snapchat filters and brunch photographs – I’m looking forward to the day when the voices and the lives of women, LGBTQ community, and people of color are heard and treated equally. I beg that you please go out and vote.

Life?

Life tends to come and go…It can suck and usually does. I suggest we all keep pushing and fighting to find our palce on this planet. Find what you love, even the little enjoyments or moments of silence that bring happiness to stay sane. Be prepared for failure and be okay with that. On other aspects of life, I’d like to mention something without pushing my agenda down your throat. The meat and dairy industry, specifically factory farming, is the most cruel and unnatural thing on the planet. Please try to be aware of what it is you are consuming and how it affects everything. I do not beleive that one life is more valuable than another.