Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and my work. I’m a documentary/freelance photographer and ethnographer presently based in Santa Fe/Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Much of my photography features the locations where I’ve undertaken research or places I’ve called home. Growing up in the cities of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, I attribute most of my success as an artist to being New Mexican. My time in New Mexico has influenced the way I engage with people and place. My work is inspired and informed by tradition, industry, institutions, and relationships between individuals, families, communities, and their environments.

I taught myself photography while conducting studies on coral reef fisheries in Sri Lanka in 2018. My photographic work is diverse in theme, subject, and style, shifting focus constantly. I resist limiting the scope of what I will shoot because my motive as a creative is to continuously grow. By committing to only one style of photography, black and white versus color, portraiture versus landscape, or by narrowly focus on a singly subject for too long, I’d be clipping my own wings and forfeiting opportunities to learn and connect with the world in new ways. In other words, I shoot whatever the hell I want to. Heck, if I’ve got the time, I’ll even shoot the occasional wedding, private event, or personal portrait session.

I’ve contributed to projects and publications with The Santa Fe New Mexican, New Mexico Magazine, The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, and editorial work with internationally recognized Cochiti artist Virgil Ortiz. Beyond the borders of New Mexico, my photography has been featured in Forbes and archived by the Smithsonian. I’ve also had photography shown in galleries and museums. Check out one of my current exhibitions, Bryce Risley: Focusing Beyond Balloons, which is on display now at The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum!

Even if I’m working from the desert, I remain engaged with peers in the marine science community, developing documentary projects and exploring publication collaborations. I’ve published research and journalism in the United States and internationally. I enjoy giving lecturers on topics ranging from fisheries and coral reefs, to themes on hot air ballooning, social and biological science research methodologies, and photography.

My most involved ongoing project is focused on the culture and traditions surrounding the New Mexico hot air ballooning community. To learn more about this nationally recognized work, visit the blog and projects section of my website.

As I grow as a creative, I grow as an individual. As I grow as an individual, I grow as a creative.

I sincerely thank you for your support and interest in my work.