Gods of War: Behind the Lens

The idea for Gods of War began with a single image in my mind: guns arranged into religious symbols. A series of photographs that challenge our perspectives on the often intertwined roles of religion and violence in shaping human conflict.

The vision was clear, but execution felt elusive until I found The Hand Prop Store in Los Angeles. There, I laid guns across the floor, testing shapes until the symbols in my mind took form. It was a bit surreal—arranging tools of destruction into representations of faith, unity, and identity. Guns and religion share an undeniable power, capable of inspiring and protecting, yet equally capable of destruction.

Once the layout was ready, I rented the props and a studio to bring it to life. I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes photo because Gods of War isn’t just about the final images; it’s about the journey of creating them. From an abstract idea to a tangible representation, this series reflects my effort to grapple with humanity’s contradictions—our search for meaning through religion and our compulsion toward violence.

Gods of War doesn’t aim to provide answers. Instead, it invites reflection. How do these forces shape our world, and why can’t we, as humans, coexist peacefully? For me, this process deepened my respect for the power these forces hold—to protect, inspire, and, tragically, destroy.

I hope these images resonate with you, challenge you, and offer a moment to pause and reflect on the contradictions we navigate as human beings.

Jared Evan - ”Only With You”  Music Video

This project was such a blast to direct.  Jared is always an incredible artist to collaborate with—he’s professional, creative, and trusts the process, which makes everything flow seamlessly.  For Only With You, we wanted to create visuals as simple and vibey as the song itself.  That’s how we landed on the image of Jared singing into a mic against a black background.

We hung the mic from the ceiling, added a few LED lights for atmosphere, and kept the setup minimal to let the mood shine.  We used a technique where the song was played at a faster speed during recording and then slowed down in post-production. This gave the video a dreamy, slow-motion feel while keeping Jared’s lips synced with the lyrics.

It’s always exciting to bring these ideas to life, and I hope you enjoy the final result.  Don’t forget to check out Jared’s full album, INDIGO, dropping July 5th!