As a Cold War baby, I was shaped by the tumult of the last half of the 20th century. Born into a world divided by ideologies and geopolitical tensions, I have navigated a path that mirrors the conflicts and complexities of that era.
My father’s humble beginnings in a working-class family led him to enlist in the U.S. Navy, seeking both escape from poverty and an opportunity to serve his country. My own journey began in London but did not end there. Movement has been my constant companion, echoing the uncertainty of the Cold War itself.
My early childhood was spent in Spain, where I absorbed the vibrant colors, language, and culture. Later, while my father was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, my fascination with photography took root. Armed with an Instamatic camera, I captured portraits of my younger sister, juxtaposing her innocence with models of military ships and planes that I set fire to and captured on film—a playful rebellion against the chaos of the world.
When I arrived at university, I formalized my interest by taking a class in photography. The lens became my tool for interpreting reality, freezing moments that held deeper meaning.
Living and working for five years in Africa as an adult exposed me to the raw edges of humanity. In Kenya, I witnessed resilience amidst adversity. South Africa, emerging from apartheid, revealed both wounds and healing. But it was Mozambique during the war years that left an indelible mark. Chaos, decay, destruction, and death surrounded me—an eerie echo of the fallen Roman Empire. Later, as an international election observer, I witnessed the fragile rebirth of nations in Nigeria’s election violence and Liberia’s post-civil war recovery.
My academic pursuits later took me to an elite university in our nation’s capital, where I earned a doctorate in international relations. Specializing in conflict management and negotiations, I sought to bring order out of chaos on a global scale.
Today, photography remains my anchor. My motto— “capturing the moment with clarity and contrast”—reflects my desire to freeze fleeting emotions, illuminate hidden narratives, and find beauty even in the darkest corners. Through my lens, I continue to explore the balance between chaos and order, conflict and resolution, and movement and stillness.
I invite viewers to journey alongside me—a witness to history, a seeker of clarity, and a storyteller of our shared human experience.
Peace,
Robert