Water Wars

This feature examined the growing demand for water in the western United States and the legal frameworks governing its distribution. Because the story centered on the human impact of these policies, it was important that the visuals reflect both the complexity of water law and the lived reality of those affected.

I collaborated closely with the reporter and took the initiative to contact the article’s primary source—a woman whose farm had been in her family for 96 years. Speaking with her directly provided valuable context beyond what was in the draft. Her insights informed the visual direction of the piece and allowed me to approach the photography with a deeper understanding of what had been lost.

My goal was to visually communicate contrast: a farm that had thrived for generations against land now marked by drought and uncertainty. I art directed the shoot to capture both the legacy of the property and the environmental strain shaping its future. In addition, I sourced supplementary imagery that supported the broader policy discussion without losing sight of the personal narrative at the center of the story.

The result was a visual narrative that grounded complex legal and environmental issues in a tangible human experience, reinforcing the article’s message through intentional, research-driven design.