While frustrated with the world of dating as a college student, I had a photo concept come to mind to illustrate some of my woes and frustrations. It was my first real attempt at creating a photo I had in my mind, rather than just collecting scenes that I found along the way. It was also my first experience shooting anything in a studio. The image of a couple displaying affection while wearing "THANK YOU" takeout bags over their heads—as admittedly bizarre as it is—kept coming back like a song you haven't heard in ages but keeps playing on repeat in your mind. And it wasn't just the image, but the meaning behind it, too. This concept was always about depicting shallow, transactional love. About people treating romantic attention like a commodity to be indulged in or traded rather than a manifestation of love for another person. The full series and my accompanying artist statement can be viewed here: https://vocal.media/humans/thank-you-for-the-love-a-photo-series