My name is Dylan Kulmayer. I’m a photojournalist and commercial photographer, and I tell stories through images.

I love connecting with people. I love to learn who someone is as they let me into their world briefly. A camera is a magical key opening doors that were sealed tight before. I hold that access and trust with great reverence.

I also love giving people photos. What’s better than seeing a good photograph of you or someone you love? Even seeing yourself can be very powerful, especially if you “hate how you look in photos”. I never get over seeing people’s eves light up like when they see a great photo of their children or grandchildren, or get a fresh look at themselves.

I have photographs of my great grandfather who was a violinist in New York City. I’m his spitting image. I have Photographs of my children that I take with me when I’m traveling.

My wife used to send me selfies when we were writing each other. My heart would leap to hold her handwriting and to see her eyes.

Strangely enough, I don’t think the photograph itself is what matters most. There will always be more pictures. What matters is a feeling, a memory, a person, a place, a story that, without a photograph, would otherwise disappear into time.

Photography allows us to see who our loved ones used to be. It reminds us who we were. Sometimes, it even gives us a glimpse of who we might become. I think there’s something miraculous about that.

Anyway, those are some thoughts.

Enjoy the photographs.