About

Artist. Storyteller. Social Worker. Documentarian of everyday Black life.

JPHazyLens is a visual and narrative practice grounded in love, community, and legacy.

I’m a photographer, educator, and licensed social worker whose work lives at the intersection of healing, identity, and Black joy—amplifying stories that are too often overlooked or distorted. Photography is my way of documenting the everyday sacred: the ordinary moments that hold extraordinary depth.

My creative journey began in 2017 during an international service program. Before I left, my dad asked me for one thing:

“I just want pictures. I want to see what you experience.”

So he gave me a camera—and I never put it down.

That trip marked the start of my practice as a visual storyteller. But it was also the continuation of something deeper: a call to witness the world with care, to hold space for Black life with truth and tenderness, and to honor where we’ve been while imagining where we can go.

ARTbiography

On October 29th, 2022, I curated my first solo exhibit: ARTbiography.
It is a conscious, skillfully planned historical account of my life through the creative lens.

This four-part series explores my introduction to photography, the influences that shaped me, and the purpose behind my work. At its core, ARTbiography is an invitation—to reflect, to remember, and to reclaim the power of our stories.

Mission

I aim to actively meet others where we are and tell our stories through the art of photography. I believe:

Every person has a story.
Every story has a lesson.
Every lesson has a purpose.

Artistic Practice

My work spans multiple mediums, including:
🎨 Acrylic Paint
🖼️ Collaging
💻 Digital Art
🌿 Nature Photography
🖌️ Oil Paint
📸 Portrait Photography
🎥 Videography

Each medium allows me to explore memory, connection, and meaning—especially within Black communities.

Artist Statement

“My work is about presence—being with people, witnessing them, and holding space for stories that matter. The camera is my way of asking: What would the world look like if we loved Black people radically and without condition?”