Bay Area Burner Culture | State of Light

Burning Man 2025: Shot of Film

Burnining Man 2025: Shot On Film This year I wanted to slow down. Lately I’ve been very aware of how much our society is wired for instant gratification, and I’ve been asking myself what still keeps me patient. Gardening does—planting, tending, growing from seed....

Burning Man 2025: Stormy Weather

Stormy Weather: Burning Man 2025 Tomorrow Today I arrived in Black Rock City on August 23rd in the early afternoon. The weather was calm at first, but later that day the storms began. Winds over 50 mph ripped across the playa, bending poles, collapsing shade...

Joy Thompson

A Special Gallery for Aunty Joy This gallery is dedicated to my Aunty Joy, my grandmother’s twin sister, who was a big part of my life growing up. She never had children of her own, but she doted on us, and I always felt her love and encouragement. She was a...

Burning Man 2025: The Trash Fence

The Trash Fence Ride, “Burning Man 2025 Mother F&#king Champion.” I like to ride out to the Trash Fence during the event — the furthest edge of Black Rock City. Out there, the city shrinks on the horizon and the desert feels cinematic under the midday sun....

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia When planning my trip to Istanbul, I knew I wanted to stay near the city’s most iconic landmarks—Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. From my base in the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood, I set out to photograph Hagia Sophia at...

Istanbul, Türkiye

Istanbul, Türkiye I spent six unforgettable days in Istanbul, Türkiye. When I visit a city, I always seek out the historic landmarks and must-see sights—but what I enjoy most is simply wandering. There’s something special about letting a city unfold at its own pace,...

Topkapi Palace & Harem

Topkapı Palace: The Heart of the Ottoman Empire Rising above the meeting point of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, Topkapı Palace was the political and ceremonial center of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. Commissioned by Sultan Mehmed II shortly after...

Smyrna, Izmir

Smyrna: Ancient Echoes in Modern Izmir Walking through Izmir, it’s easy to forget you're standing atop millennia of layered history. Known in antiquity as Smyrna, this coastal city was once among the crown jewels of the Aegean. Founded by the Greeks as early as...

Secluk, Türkiye

Selçuk, Türkiye: Hilltop of Empires and Faith In the heart of western Türkiye, the town of Selçuk rests beneath Ayasuluk Hill—an ancient stronghold where religion and empire converged. At the summit, two powerful remnants tell the story of centuries past: the...

Ephesus, Türkiye

Ephesus, Turkey I arrived in Selçuk, Türkiye, the modern gateway to Ephesus, a city I had long wanted to explore. My host at the guesthouse suggested a three-hour tour, but I laughed knowing I’d spend far longer. I chose to walk alone along a peaceful countryside...