Service is about both letting go and embracing parts of ourselves we may have previously overlooked. As an older sibling of seven children, my early life was shaped by a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to be helpful. It’s in this environment that I developed a strong work ethic, drawing inspiration from the generations of tradespeople who taught me not just the value of hard work, but the lessons of life itself.
Service
Zine Photography by Carlos Lemas, Reception Photography by Ely Dominguez
My journey began in Industrial and Interaction Design, where I first discovered the power of form, function, and human connection. Over the past four years, however, I have been drawn into the world of curatorial work and creative direction, where I found a deeper calling. It is here that I channel my love for design into something more visceral—creating spaces, narratives, and experiences that provoke thought, inspire emotion, and challenge the way we perceive the world around us. This shift has been more than a career change for me; it has been a transformative path that allows me to blend creativity with purpose and connect with others on a more meaningful level.
This project is dedicated to those who have devoted their lives to serving others. It is a two-part photojournalism and conceptual installation that delves into the deeper meaning of service—using milk crate chairs as a visual thread, inviting dialogue around the concept of service and the often-overlooked contributions that sustain our collective well-being. The milk crate, an object we all recognize, becomes a powerful symbol in this work—something as simple as a chair or a seat, yet deeply connected to the shared moments we’ve all experienced: the casual act of pulling one up, sitting, and engaging in conversation. This small, everyday object becomes a metaphor for service itself, transcending typical association with food and beverage to encompass many other service forward professions.
In collaboration with black-and-white film photographer Carlos Lemas, we set out to document individuals from the community seated on these built-out milk crate chairs. The individuals were asked two questions: “How would you define service?” and “How has the service you do impacted the way you view the world?” Lemas captured these moments using both 35mm and 120mm film, employing a wide fisheye lens to give the subjects a “larger-than-life” presence—showing them not just as participants, but as the true pillars of our world.
