سیئیٹل

Seattle

Seattle is a city of contradictions. In the summer, it shimmers like a technicolor dream—light dancing off water and glass. In the winter, the rain can be relentless; leave your car parked too long and moss will start growing through the cracks. It’s one of the most progressive cities politically, yet it has some of the most regressive tax policies in the country. It’s home to over 54,000 millionaires and 11 billionaires, and yet it also faces one of the highest rates of homelessness in the U.S.

Seattle ranks as the second greenest city in the nation, but access to those green benefits is far from equal. Neighborhoods like South Seattle—home to many Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities—are more vulnerable to urban heat islands, poor air quality, and industrial runoff. Eco-friendly developments and LEED-certified buildings often signal rising housing costs, triggering waves of displacement and gentrification.

And yet, this city is also a place of refuge and resilience. I’ve had my share of hard moments here, but Seattle has also given me room to dream and grow. When I walk its streets and see the incredible diversity that fuels the city, I feel a kind of strength in return.

You can see all of this unfolding in Seattle’s streets—its beauty and its contradictions—and this photo series is my attempt to capture that chaotic, complicated place I call home.